Olaf Scholz had to face parliamentary questions on Wednesday.
During a government survey in the Bundestag, the Chancellor also referred to the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks.
Olaf Scholz
on
ZDF
: "The turning point is a long-term project"
Germany
will not become a
war party
: Olaf Scholz (SPD) emphasizes on ZDF that you will continue to act prudently.
"With full intention": Chancellor:
Scholz justifies his hesitant approach to Leopard deliveries
Government survey
in the
Bundestag
: Chancellor Olaf Scholz has to face the questions of the MPs.
This
news ticker for Chancellor Scholz's government survey
in the Bundestag is constantly updated.
Update from January 25, 8:27 p.m
.: “Maybe today has also helped some to think about what they say in the future,” said Scholz on Wednesday in the ZDF program “What now, Mr. Scholz? In the past few days, the FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann and the Green politician Anton Hofreiter have sharply criticized Scholz and accused him of being hesitant about the battle tank decision.
Scholz also emphasized that there were no differences within the federal government on the battle tank question.
“The government is completely unanimous in its approach.
And that applies to the Finance Minister (Christian Lindner, FDP) just as much, to say it in advance, as it does to the Economics Minister (Robert Habeck, Greens).”
Update from January 25, 8:01 p.m
.: Friedrich Merz (CDU) says on ZDF that he has the impression that Scholz alone considers the American President to be able to speak at eye level.
"And that leaves a lot of resentment in Europe." Scholz had the opportunity to coordinate things with the French President earlier.
"This war threatens our freedom," says Merz, "and that's why we have to defend our freedom with Ukraine.
And we should have done that earlier.” The war had already begun in 2014, so we should have reacted much earlier.
The supply of tanks will not draw Germany into the war.
"Even if I can understand the concerns of the people who fear that: we come to a different conclusion," says Merz on ZDF.
Olaf Scholz on ZDF: "The turning point is a long-term project"
Update from January 25, 7:49 p.m
.: Olaf Scholz (SPD) says on ZDF that Germany has not forgotten the question of how we can stop climate trading.
"We will accelerate many processes to improve our infrastructure," says Scholz - and points out that the problem of energy shortages was initially successfully averted in winter.
Update from January 25, 7:43 p.m
.: "The tanks are very effective and they will therefore also be very helpful," says Olaf Scholz (SPD) on ZDF when asked what the German tanks could do for Ukraine.
"We know that the Russian President accepts staggering casualties in men and materiel to achieve his goal.
And that's why you can count on the fact that the war is still going on.
But Putin cannot count on support for Ukraine waning.”
The new special fund must be used to correct the mistakes made by CDU/CSU defense ministers - including the fact that new production is currently no longer possible for some spare parts or ammunition.
"We all understood that the turning point is a long-term project that must be tackled quickly."
On ZDF: What now, Mr. Scholz?
- Germany will not become a war party
Update from January 25, 7:31 p.m
.: Germany is not a war party because of the tank delivery, says Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Wednesday evening on ZDF.
"We made sure that all decisions were well-prepared, balanced decisions." The USA and Germany are closely linked through NATO, so it goes without saying that we should coordinate arms deliveries.
“I say very clearly and sharply that it would be irresponsible to act otherwise.
A lot of people watch TV every evening and hope that the chancellor will keep his nerve, and I can assure you that it will stay that way," said Scholz.
Government survey: Scholz clearly rejects the delivery of combat aircraft
Update from January 25, 2:18 p.m.:
That was it from today's government survey.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz answered questions from Parliament for more than 70 minutes.
He explained above all the actions of the federal government in the Ukraine war and defended the hesitant decision to supply battle tanks.
On the other hand, the chancellor got tight-lipped again when it came to cum-ex.
Despite repeated inquiries from the CDU parliamentary group, Scholz only referred to the minutes published by the committees.
The Chancellor of Ukraine gave a clear rejection of the delivery of combat aircraft.
Such a step is currently not up for debate.
Nevertheless, Kyiv will be supported for as long as it is necessary.
Update from January 25, 2:18 p.m.:
End.
Bundestag Vice President Katrin Göring-Eckardt ends the government survey with a slight delay.
Government survey: Scholz is again committed to basic child security – “We want to do it”
Update from January 25, 2:15 p.m .:
Green MP Nina Stahr wants to know from the Chancellor how central he thinks basic child security is.
"This is a major project by the government," said Scholz.
A big step has already been taken, even if it might not be obvious at first glance, explains the Chancellor and refers to the increase in child benefit.
Now, however, no further reforms need to be initiated.
"This is a very ambitious project, but we want to get it done," concludes the Chancellor.
Update from January 25, 1:57 p.m
.: Modernization: What strategy for Germany’s infrastructure does the federal government intend to adopt?
In his answer, Scholz refers, among other things, to the “blank spots in mobile communications”.
These must be addressed - even if they are the responsibility of private providers.
Update from January 25, 1:53 p.m .:
The next question comes from the AfD group.
Bernd Baumann addresses the issue of migration.
“Districts keep burning all over Europe,” says Baumann, referring to failed integration.
"You don't even know where to start contradicting you," says Scholz.
One should not work with “general judgments made by groups”.
In a query, Baumann wants to know whether there is "an ethnic-cultural German people" for Scholz.
Scholz' answer: "We have a German people.
That consists of those who have German citizenship.”
Union faction puts Scholz under pressure on the Cum-Ex issue – Chancellor reacts evasively
Update from January 25, 1:50 p.m .:
Change of subject to the Cum-Ex scandal.
CDU MP Middelberg asks the chancellor about his memories of a conversation with the banker Christian Olearius.
Middelberg continues to investigate.
The CDU MP wants to know why Scholz met Olearius three times.
Scholz refers to the available logs.
"Not everything has been proven," the Chancellor evades a direct answer to the question again.
Another question about the meetings between Scholz and Olearius follows from the plenum.
The Chancellor remains firm: "There is no proof of what you are accusing."
War in Ukraine: Scholz refuses delivery of combat aircraft
Update from January 25, 1:42 p.m .:
A question about the possible provision of German ground troops to Ukraine from non-attached MP Robert Farle.
"Yes, the decision we made is one that many citizens are concerned about," said Scholz.
Currently it is not about the provision of combat aircraft.
"We will definitely not send ground troops," says Scholz.
You can rely on that.
Update from January 25, 1:38 p.m .:
SPD MP Nils Schmid asks about the relationship between Germany and the United States.
"I can tell you that the relationship between Germany and the USA is at a better level than it has probably been for a long time," said Scholz.
US President Biden is a “really good partner” for Germany.
Any reports of turmoil between Washington and Berlin are not true.
Update from January 25, 1:35 p.m .:
It follows Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann from the FDP parliamentary group.
The MEP congratulates the Chancellor on the decision to deliver.
Strack-Zimmermann wants to know from the chancellor which NATO countries are involved in the cooperation.
Scholz reacts evasively and affirms a "coordinated approach".
"You have noticed that we are not alone," explains the Chancellor, somewhat cryptically.
Scholz under cross-examination: AfD MPs raise serious allegations against the Chancellor for Leopard delivery
Update from January 25, 1:30 p.m .:
Petr Bystron from the AfD faction asks the Chancellor why he threw the “foundations of German foreign policy” overboard with the Leopard decision.
Scholz "trampled the legacy of German foreign policy."
Russia's war of aggression is "imperialism" and contradicts the principles of German foreign policy.
"We have provided very far-reaching support so that Ukraine can defend its integrity," Scholz continued.
"We don't believe that one country can be another country's backyard."
Update from January 25, 1:25 p.m .:
A question from the Green Group.
Agnieszka Brugger wants to know from Scholz why the decision was made to supply the Leopard 2A6 - in contrast to older models.
"Effectiveness was very important to us," replies the Chancellor.
"We will support Ukraine with weapons as long as it is necessary," Scholz reiterated the German position when asked.
However, the international community must also support Ukraine's reconstruction after a possible end of the war.
Government survey in the live ticker: Scholz with a dig at the Union
Update from January 25, 1:21 p.m .:
CSU MP Florian Hahn wants to know from Scholz how the Chancellor wants to continue to support the Bundeswehr.
He is also committed to the two percent target, explains Scholz.
"What we need now are concrete decisions on concrete systems."
Some of them have already been hit.
"We have to eliminate all the mistakes that have become common practice over the past few decades," says Scholz, referring to the Union's defense ministers who are leaving.
Update from January 25, 1:18 p.m .:
The first questions.
Scholz counters a CDU MP.
"It would be a grave mistake to go it alone on these issues."
The chancellor justifies the communication of the Leopard 2 decision by not making his decisions dependent on press releases.
Update from January 25, 1:15 p.m .:
"If you greet me next time as chairing the session, I would be very grateful," jokes Bas after the opening statement.
Scholz had apparently forgotten the greeting phrase.
"With full intention" - Scholz justifies hesitation in Leopard deliveries
Update from January 25, 1:09 p.m .:
“In everything we have not forgotten the cohesion and respect for the citizens,” Scholz continues.
The Ukraine war calls into question the “principles on which we have agreed in Europe for decades”.
Scholz once again uses the term "turning point".
"Germany will always be at the forefront when it comes to supporting Ukraine," said Scholz, moving on to the issue of arms deliveries.
The Chancellor repeatedly emphasizes the need for joint action with the German allies.
"It was right and done on purpose that we worked our way forward bit by bit," explains Scholz.
This also applies to the recent decisions on the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks.
"Our goal is to quickly provide two tank battalions with our allies," Scholz explains the announcement again.
"That's the right principle."
"Trust me, trust the federal government.
We will continue to ensure that this support is possible without increasing the risks for our country in the wrong direction," the Chancellor concluded, referring to the citizens who would be worried about the tank deliveries.
Update from January 25, 1:01 p.m .:
It starts.
Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD) opens the session.
Scholz opens the round with a short statement.
The Chancellor spoke to the Ukrainian President that morning and discussed the current developments.
"The federal government has whistled off the economic crisis," explains Scholz, initially with a view to the economic developments in the Ukraine war.
Update from January 25, 12:45 p.m .:
In just under 20 minutes, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) will answer questions from the Bundestag.
The focus of the government survey will probably be on the delivery of Leopard 2 main battle tanks, which was confirmed this morning.
First report from January 25th:
Berlin – Much has been said about him in the past few days, he has said little himself: Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his persistent refusal to deliver German-made battle tanks to Ukraine have dominated the news recently.
On Wednesday (January 25), the chancellor will presumably take a position: the members of the Bundestag will have the opportunity to ask him questions during a government survey.
The day before leaked from government circles that the federal government is now apparently ready to deliver tanks.
Also, because the USA should also deliver tanks.
+
Chancellor Olaf Scholz during a government survey in the Bundestag (archive).
© IMAGO/Thomas Trutschel/photothek
After much hesitation, Germany is apparently supplying Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine.
Other countries are also allowed to hand over such tanks to Kyiv, as several media reported unanimously.
Ukraine has been asking for Western-style main battle tanks to fight the Russian attackers for months.
The first official request came just a week after the start of the war at the beginning of March last year - at a time when Scholz was giving his historic turning point speech.
Now he speaks again in the Bundestag.
Opposition and coalition partners are pushing for tank deliveries
There will certainly be questions about the Chancellor's motives for the tank approval.
Not only the opposition, but also representatives of Scholz' coalition partners FDP and Greens vehemently pushed for it in advance.
The chancellor's communication has also been criticized time and again: Scholz has so far largely remained silent on the subject, preferring to let his new defense minister, Boris Pistorius, speak, but he was only evasive.
The government survey begins at 1 p.m. in the Bundestag.
First, a five-minute report on a specific topic is planned.
The questions from the MEPs on these and other topics are then on the agenda.
(smu)
List of rubrics: © Michael Kappeler/dpa
