As of: March 1, 2024, 12:55 p.m
By: Peter Sieben
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Olaf Scholz, a sticker and a slogan cause a stir.
The Chancellor actually had something completely different in mind with his message, says a political expert.
Berlin – The Chancellor, who is not otherwise famous for excessive gestures, even raises his left fist when speaking.
Then he says the sentence that will later fly around his ears: “Yes, diplomats instead of grenades is the sentence that we chant together towards the Kremlin in Moscow.” This happened on Thursday evening at a citizens’ dialogue in Dresden.
A participant gave him a stack of stickers with this same slogan and asked him to give it to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens).
Scholz used this to send a message - but it didn't arrive as well as he thought.
Olaf Scholz in Dresden: “Diplomats instead of grenades” as a demand from Moscow
“Olaf Scholz had the message: This is a demand from Moscow, from Putin.
But he should have introduced it more clearly, so there was room for misunderstandings,” says political advisor Johannes Hillje about the Chancellor’s appearance.
“This shows once again that he is not necessarily a born rhetorician.”
The scene became a sticker frenzy on social media.
A shortened version of the video quickly circulated among
Both parties oppose arms deliveries to Ukraine.
The online debate gained such momentum that government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit felt compelled to provide an explanation late in the evening.
“The Chancellor quotes the slogan – with the addition that the demand should be addressed to Moscow,” it said.
Grenade slogan by Olaf Scholz: “Decontextualization was not taken into account”
“If the government spokesman continues to provide the context after 10 p.m., something has gotten out of control,” comments expert Johannes Hillje in an interview with
IPPEN.MEDIA
.
“Decontextualization was not taken into account, although unfortunately it is a common phenomenon in our digital public.”
Scholz probably welcomed the spontaneous thing with the sticker.
After all, when the moderator wanted to move on to the next statement from the audience, Scholz took the floor again to quote the slogan.
No coincidence, Hillje believes: “I believe that Olaf Scholz very consciously used this moment as a test balloon for his election campaign.
He wants to position himself as prudent and experienced in foreign policy and thus differentiate himself from Friedrich Merz, who is portrayed as impulsive in the face of international conflicts.”
Olaf Scholz has rejected Taurus delivery to Ukraine
At the beginning of the week, Scholz clearly rejected the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles.
Baerbock's Greens, on the other hand, are pushing for the weapon system to be delivered with a range of 500 kilometers.
“Olaf Scholz wants to appeal to a clientele that has concerns about arms deliveries.
This is a relevant group and Friedrich Merz will hardly reach them.”