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Chancellor Olaf Scholz:
Photo: FILIP SINGER / EPA
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) cannot gain anything from legal restrictions to reduce meat consumption and driving in Germany.
“I don't believe in reducing driving by the state.
The citizens have to decide for themselves how they want to get around," Scholz told the taz.
"I'm not a fan of the renunciation narrative," said the head of government.
However, he is "convinced that with technological modernization we will be able to operate in a CO2-neutral manner, protect the climate and our resources and maintain our prosperity".
In the interview, Scholz also commented on the ongoing protests against the eviction of the brown coal village of Lützerath in North Rhine-Westphalia.
He, too, had often demonstrated in the past, said the Chancellor.
"However, for me there is a limit that runs exactly where protest becomes violent," said the SPD politician.
Scholz does not accept criticism that the development of the coal deposits under Lützerath put the climate goals in danger.
“That accusation is not true.
It is exactly the opposite: we make politics so that we can achieve our climate goals.« It is the absolute goal of his government to ensure that Germany becomes climate-neutral by 2045.
“Perhaps the protest should be directed against the fact that it takes six years for a wind turbine to be approved.
If we want to achieve the energy transition, we need more speed.«
Scholz ruled out extended operating times for the three remaining German nuclear power plants.
There will "definitely" not be an extension beyond spring.
Scholz counters demands from cabinet colleagues in the Leopard debate
The Chancellor defended his hesitant approach to the delivery of German Leopard-type battle tanks to Ukraine.
According to Scholz, the majority of citizens support the government's "level-headed" stance.
Demands from his cabinet to make a quick decision on the matter bounced off Scholz.
The Chancellor said he would not allow himself to be driven by "excited statements, hasty statements and the need to say something every ten minutes".
Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) had previously said that the delivery of Leopard tanks "should not be taboo".
Vice Chancellor and Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) had also pushed for a decision with regard to the delivery of tanks to Ukraine by Poland, which would require approval: "There is a difference between making a decision for yourself and preventing the decision of others."
fek/dpa
