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In a good mood at the federal press conference: Chancellor Olaf Scholz
Photo:
Kay Nietfeld / dpa
Energy crisis, war in Ukraine and cum-ex: At the traditional summer press conference, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz answered questions from journalists on current political issues.
The appointment had been eagerly awaited, among other things, because of the affair surrounding the Hamburg Warburg Bank.
Previously, there were reports that 200,000 euros were found in the locker of former SPD MP Johannes Kahrs.
At the end of next week, Scholz will again face the Hamburg committee of inquiry into the cum-ex scandal.
Scholz about Cum-Ex
It was only quite late in the press conference that the subject of the tax affair was brought up.
And Scholz didn't seem to want to say too much on the subject either: "Nothing," he replied when asked what he knew about the money in Johannes Kahrs' locker.
Regarding what he thinks, where the money comes from, Scholz said: "I have no idea, I assume you know that better than I do."
Scholz later explained: "I'm as curious as you are and of course I'd like to know where it comes from.
But he probably won't tell me or you,' he said.
"Two and a half years, an unbelievable number of hearings, an unbelievable number of files, have brought only one result: There is no evidence that there was any political influence."
Scholz currently has no contact with Kahrs.
The last conversation must have been "ages ago," said Scholz.
... the energy crisis
One of the issues that is currently affecting many people in Germany is the ongoing energy crisis.
Energy and gas prices are rising sharply as a result of the Russian war of aggression.
Scholz sees major omissions in recent years, as he now says: "We are working through all the omissions of the last few years that were really big in this regard."
He expects that the gas storage tanks can be filled further.
They are already much fuller than last year.
In addition, the energy crisis is examining whether the three nuclear power plants that are still in operation can run longer.
There will be a decision on this "soon", said Scholz.
In addition, the two planned liquid gas terminals on the German North Sea coast are to be completed this winter.
It has been planned for the past few years.
"That's why it's going to be quick now." Gas is expensive to procure at the moment.
"But we'll always have enough, that's the point."
With every windmill, with every solar system, with every newly commissioned power line, Germany's dependence on fossil resources that have to be imported from all over the world decreases, said Scholz.
He promised the industry affordable energy in large quantities, especially electricity and hydrogen from renewable sources.
Recently, concerns about mass demonstrations in the event of an energy shortage had arisen.
According to Scholz, however, he does not expect an escalation: "No, I don't think there will be unrest in this country (...)."
... Tax relief
According to Scholz, the relief in the energy crisis should be extended to all groups.
"There will be another package," he said, also referring to the help that had been decided.
It supports both recipients of aid and people with low and middle incomes.
»We will do everything we can to get you through this difficult time.«
The tax relief package planned by Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) is correct.
"I find that very helpful," said Scholz.
He too did this twice as Federal Minister of Finance, i.e. fought the so-called cold progression.
"That can't be an obviously wrong idea."
Despite the aid, Scholz does not see a need for a supplementary budget.
»We assume that we can manage our ideas within the financial framework that is available to us«.
The federal government wants to comply with the debt brake again in the coming year.
And an increase in income tax for top earners is also not planned, as Scholz said with reference to agreements within the traffic light coalition.
This was found in the election programs of the SPD and Greens, but not with the FDP.
The Chancellor also put the brakes on the debate about a possible excess profit tax for companies.
This had not been agreed and was also “technically very challenging”.
However, Scholz was optimistic that even with the measures taken so far, he would be able to “finance what we find necessary”.
... the war and foreign policy
Scholz also commented on the Ukraine war.
"It was with great horror that he took note of many of the Russian war crimes," he said.
"The Russian President bears responsibility for this war." However, Scholz did not answer the question of whether Putin should therefore be held personally responsible.
Scholz has no expectations of ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder playing a mediating role with Moscow.
"I don't know," he says when asked whether Schröder could be helpful.
He could have been involved in the use of the turbine for the Nord Stream pipeline.
However, the serviced turbine is still not requested by the Russian side or imported into the country.
The war could only end with Ukraine's consent, said Scholz.
Ultimately, only the Ukrainian president, parliament and people can decide on what terms the conflict can be resolved.
In this respect, this rules out a dictated peace by Russia.
At the same time, there is already the question of reconstruction, which will cost billions.
One of the last Russian allies is China.
Scholz does not see the current threatening gestures of the People's Republic towards Taiwan as a reason to limit contact with Beijing or even to forego a trip to the country.
His first visit to China is "an appointment that we are talking about, but which has not yet been fixed".
Scholz said he was also planning a trip to the Arab world.
One is "in talks" about possible additional energy supplies from various Arab countries.
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) had already traveled to Qatar in March, among other things, to negotiate liquefied gas deals there.
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