CNN giant praises Scholz and Germany on TV: "Rock on which the new Europe will be built"

Created: 2022-10-10 21:17

By: Bettina Menzel

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in August at a press conference in Berlin as part of the G7 summit in Germany.

© IMAGO/Christian Spicker

A look from the outside sometimes brings a new perspective.

The US journalist Fareed Zakaria sees one of the most remarkable positive trends of our time in the development of Germany.

Atlanta - People have a tendency to perceive the world as more negative than it really is.

The scientist Hans Rosling even dedicated a whole book to this topic with "Factfulness".

In light of the corona pandemic, the Ukraine war and the energy crisis, many find it difficult to keep an eye on the positive.

Renowned CNN journalist Fareed Zakaria now shared some good news in these dark times.

The development of Germany into a democratic "rock" in the surf.

CNN: Germany's turning point stands for a strong Europe

The journalist Fareed Zakaria spoke on Sunday in his program on the US television channel CNN about positive news of our time that would otherwise have passed many Germans by.

"One of the most notable positive trends in the world is Germany's democratic strength, character and leadership," the CNN host said on camera.

He also referred to Germany's role in the Ukraine war.

In August, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) gave a speech in Prague in which he promised to support Ukraine "reliably and for as long as necessary".

The criticism that Germany has not helped enough is partly justified.

But for a country that was so doggedly pacifist after World War II, Germany had provided a remarkable amount of help, the CNN anchor said.

The Chancellor also stands for a strong Europe that welcomes new members who strive for Europe's democratic values ​​and ideals.

All of this is part of the turning point announced by the Federal Chancellor in his historic speech on February 27th.

A few days after the start of the Ukraine war, Scholz announced a historic turning point in German foreign and security policy.

Germany's development is one of the good news of this period

Since 1945 Germany had constantly turned towards Europe and the world.

As a thought experiment, the journalist suggests imagining how different the world would be if, at the heart of Europe, the most powerful European nation were not fully committed to democratic values.

"Today, Germany is the rock on which a new Europe is being built," said Zakaria.

He commended that Germany is also willing to make sacrifices for these values, citing the rise in natural gas and electricity prices.

Russian President Vladimir Putin increased the pressure by reducing natural gas exports to Germany.

"But Germany has not given in," praised the moderator.

Faced with these massive challenges, the country patiently sought a solution to diversify and thus minimize its dependency on Russia.

As examples of this, the CNN icon cites investments in green technologies, the purchase of liquid gas, the restarting of coal-fired power plants and the extension of the lifespan of two nuclear power plants in Germany.

The European Union has proposed a 15 percent reduction in gas consumption, "Germany is trying to achieve a 20 percent reduction to be on the safe side," said Zakaria.

CNN icon praises Olaf Scholz: Merkel was initially seen as a lightweight

Olaf Scholz was initially seen as a lightweight, "unable" to compete with "the gravitas and leadership skills of his predecessor Merkel," said the CNN moderator.

At the beginning of her term in office, people had a similar view of Angela Merkel, but she gradually earned the respect.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, Merkel was at the forefront of condemning the attack and convincing Europe to launch an ambitious package of sanctions against Moscow.

In the crisis of Syrian refugees, she led the whole world.

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At first Helmut Kohl was called a "colorless man from the pampas", but in the end he managed to reunite Germany.

“In 1945 nobody would have predicted that Germany would develop like this,” Fareed Zakaria points out.

The country emerged from the war completely destroyed, it was marked by the cruel legacy of Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust.

But the country has found a way to overcome its past.

In Henry Kissinger's words, Germany today is a "normal country with an abnormal memory," the CNN journalist quotes the former US Secretary of State, who himself fled Nazi persecution.

Fareed Zakaria is convinced that Germany's development is therefore one of the "good news of our time".