Enlarge image
Olaf Scholz in September at a public discussion: Not even every third person is satisfied with the traffic light
Photo:
IMAGO/Malte Ossowski/SVEN SIMON / IMAGO/Sven Simon
The Federal Chancellor refrained from self-critical statements on the government anniversary: one year after taking office, Olaf Scholz drew a positive balance of the government he led in his weekly video message »Kanzler compact«.
"Of course, this year was first and foremost shaped by Russia's brutal war against Ukraine," said the SPD politician.
»But we have not neglected the tasks that are required for the cohesion of our society.«
The relief packages from his government totaled almost 100 billion euros, said Scholz.
"And we have mobilized 200 billion euros to ensure that electricity prices, gas prices and district heating prices don't go through the roof this year, next year and the year after." His goal is "that our economy remains stable and that the citizens that our country can get through this crisis together".
Scholz lists successes
The government made up of SPD, Greens and FDP began work almost a year ago.
The motto: »Dare to make more progress«.
Scholz took his oath of office as Federal Chancellor on December 8, 2021.
After the initial enthusiasm, there is a crunch between the three parties - above all from the FDP, critical voices for cooperation come after their poor performance in state elections.
The population is meanwhile extremely dissatisfied with the first traffic light year.
According to the current SPIEGEL survey, 61 percent give the government a bad report, and a large number of them even rate the work as "very negative" (45 percent).
Only 29 percent are satisfied with the coalition's policies.
In his video speech, Scholz listed a number of innovations that his government had implemented: the 100 billion special fund for the Bundeswehr, the increase in the minimum wage to twelve euros and increases in child benefit, housing benefit and child allowance.
Another goal was "that Germany can operate in a climate-neutral manner".
That is why a number of laws have been passed to promote renewable energies, said Scholz.
At the same time, in order to mitigate the consequences of the war on the gas supply, liquid gas terminals were built on the coasts and the gas storage tanks were filled.
Apr/AFP/dpa
