Olaf Scholz made his second government statement in March.
He calls for "confidence" - but gets laughs for the choice of his quoter.
Berlin - Olaf Scholz (SPD) has become in a recent government statement in the Bundestag for "confidence" in the Ukraine war, among other things - and sometimes had to take harsh taunts from opposition leader Friedrich Merz (CDU).
On Thursday morning (March 16), the Chancellor made his second government statement within two weeks - and the third in 2023.
Scholz government statement: More weapons for Ukraine - braking in the case of escape demands
Scholz promised Ukraine, among other things, further deliveries of weapons and ammunition.
Together with its European partners, Germany will ensure that Ukraine receives weapons and equipment to hold out and defend itself, he said before the EU summit next week.
"It is particularly important to quickly supply Ukraine with the necessary ammunition," emphasized the German head of government.
In the dispute over the distribution of costs when taking in refugees, Scholz - like his Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) did in a government survey on Wednesday (March 15) - emphasized how much the federal government has already taken on.
"The federal government made more than 3.5 billion euros available to the states and municipalities last year - and this year another 2.75 billion," he said.
In addition, refugees from Ukraine would receive citizen benefits instead of the usual benefits for asylum seekers.
"This means that the federal government bears the vast majority of the costs for accommodation and meals," emphasized Scholz.
In the speech, he did not make any new commitments in view of the countries' ongoing demands for more money.
Merz tears up Scholz's Ukraine "turning point" in the Bundestag: "It's a scandal, Mr. Chancellor!"
Merz clearly criticized Scholz' appeal for more confidence.
"Confidence arises when people have the feeling that there is a government in office that has a compass, that makes decisions and that gives reason and cause for confidence through actions, not through words alone," said the CDU leader.
Rarely have words and deeds diverged so clearly as in Scholz's government statement.
Specifically, Merz reprimanded a lack of progress in the Bundeswehr's "turning point".
"If almost a year later not a euro or a cent has arrived at the Bundeswehr, then that is a scandal, Mr Chancellor, for which you are responsible!"
In any case, the traffic light coalition was severely divided.
30 projects alone are currently on hold in the budget dispute.
Scholz calls for "confidence" - Merz scoffs at the opening of the speech
"Now it's not about nostalgically mourning the good old days when so many things were supposedly better," Scholz had previously explained.
"Now it's about setting out and tackling together so that a good new era is possible."
This applies to Germany as well as to Europe.
The Federal Republic made itself independent of gas, oil and coal from Russia in just eight months.
"Nobody had to freeze.
There was no economic slump and no decreed shutdown of industrial plants.” This shows: “When it comes down to it, then we can start and upheaval, speed and transformation.”
Scholz opened his speech by referring to the British historian Timothy Garton Ash.
According to Ash, the challenges for Europe are "overwhelming".
Nevertheless, the free and democratic Europe is a unique project in the world, the Chancellor quoted from a new book by Garton Ash.
It's about peace, freedom, democracy and security, said Scholz, among other things.
However, Merz also scoffed at this speech opening.
Some time ago, Just Garton Ash introduced the English-speaking audience to the word "scholzing" - as "to communicate good intentions, only to then invent every conceivable reason to delay and prevent them".
"This is Timothy Garton Ash," Merz mocked under the laughter of the Union faction.
(
fn with material from dpa and AFP
)
Also interesting:
"No orders known": Has Germany not ordered a single new Leopard tank?