Scholz hands out against Merkel in the “summer interview” – and gives hope for Corona

Created: 07/03/2022Updated: 07/03/2022 15:50

By: Florian Naumann, Markus Hofstetter

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) at the ARD summer interview in Berlin (July 3, 2022) © Christoph Soeder/dpa/picture alliance

Olaf Scholz served as Vice Chancellor under Angela Merkel.

In the "summer interview" of the ARD, the newcomer to the chancellery is surprised by the work of the GroKo.

Berlin – Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has completed his “summer interview” with ARD.

In it, he ruled out further relief for citizens in view of rising prices.

According to Scholz, the explosion in energy prices in particular is “social explosives”.

If the heating bill suddenly increases by a few hundred euros, then that is a sum that many cannot really cope with.

Scholz sought partial responsibility for the current energy crisis from her predecessor Angela Merkel (CDU) - and the SPD politician apparently also wants to break with the former Chancellor's Corona policy.

Scholz faced criticism, among other things, because of an appearance after the G7 summit.

However, he rejected allegations of arrogance.

Scholz in the ARD: Further relief possible

In the conversation with ARD journalist Tina Hassel, the Federal Chancellor pointed out that his government had already relieved the citizens of 30 billion euros.

The effect of these relief packages must first be awaited.

But it is also clear: "We have to continue now." His government will have to continue to deal with relief, and will do so.

According to Scholz, the gas suppliers that are in trouble are already being supported.

State loans to utilities contribute to “the fact that prices have not yet broken through”.

With a view to Uniper, Germany's largest gas importer, Scholz said: "We are now examining with the company what can be done."

Scholz' in the ARD summer interview: Chancellor angry about reports on "concerted action"

However, Scholz did not want to name a date for another round of relief.

He pointed to the start of the so-called concerted action planned for Monday (July 4), a long-term series of talks with trade unions and employers on the fight against inflation.

The Chancellor did not want to comment on the "energy price cap" proposed by DGB boss Yasmin Fahimi to relieve households.

Scholz also rejected reports that he favored a tax-free one-off payment to employees in the fight against inflation.

These went back to a newspaper "that picked up something from someone," he criticized.

No one is suggesting that in exchange for a one-off payment, "there should be no actual wage increases," he said.

ARD summer interview with Chancellor Scholz: criticism of Merkel - despite GroKo's own participation

Looking ahead, Scholz said the coming year will be "the biggest challenge" given the rising prices.

His government is doing “everything that is possible to ensure that the energy supply continues to function”.

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At the same time, however, the Chancellor said that Germany was not well prepared for a stop in gas supplies from Russia.

When he took office in December, he "found that there had been no preparation for the event that something like this happened".

In doing so, Scholz criticized the CDU-led previous government of Angela Merkel, to which he himself had belonged as Vice Chancellor.

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ARD summer interview with Scholz: Probably no drastic corona measures in autumn and winter

Scholz does not expect corona measures to be as drastic as in the last two years for the coming autumn and winter.

"There shouldn't be any more school closures, and I don't think we need a lockdown like we've had in recent years." The situation has now "completely changed," said Scholz, referring to a vaccination rate of 76 Percent, based on the basic immunization, in Germany.

However, the Chancellor can imagine that compulsory tests and masks will again play a greater role in the fight against the corona virus in autumn and winter.

A return to mandatory testing in schools or daycare centers or a general obligation to wear masks indoors would have to be discussed with the federal states if necessary, he said.

Work on the new Infection Protection Act, which must lay the legal basis for this, has already begun.

He himself has so far been able to avoid a corona infection, said Scholz.

"Perhaps the fact that I had my vaccinations four times is the reason why it didn't happen." The Chancellor campaigned for everyone over the age of 60 to get a fourth vaccination.

ARD summer interview with Chancellor Scholz: Already vaccinated against Corona four times

In the interview, Scholz also rejected the accusation that he sometimes seemed arrogant in public appearances.

"I don't think that's the case, so I don't share the assessment." Corresponding reproaches were made to him, especially after the final press conference of the G7 summit in Elmau, Bavaria.

There, when asked by a journalist whether he could name concrete security guarantees for Ukraine after the end of the war, he said: "Yes", (short pause) "I could", (longer pause) "that's it".

Scholz defended the answer by saying that he had previously answered the question in the same press conference.

"When it's asked for the third time, you can sometimes say: I've already answered that." The Chancellor also did not accept criticism of his communication style.

"I think I'm right in not being one of those politicians who makes an announcement every week, about 90 percent of which aren't going to happen," he said.

It is "necessary that the announcements that you make make sure that they become something afterwards".

As part of the ARD summer interview, citizens were also able to ask Scholz questions.

The Chancellor provided information about his carbon footprint and the legalization of cannabis.

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