Scholz vows to modernize Germany under his ‘government of progress’

Berlin (dpa) – New Chancellor Olaf Scholz intends to modernize Germany, he told the Bundestag on Wednesday, during his first government statement since taking office last week.

He told the parliament that his left-leaning coalition wants to create “a modern Germany” in the coming years. “The government that now begins its work under my leadership will be a government of progress,” Scholz said.

He held out the prospect of a government of social, societal and cultural progress, but emphasized above all technological leaps. This is the only way Germany can become climate neutral and keep up with global competition, he said.

The chancellor added that the “power of progress” was particularly evident in the pandemic, noting that a coronavirus vaccine developed in Germany has protected the lives of millions of people worldwide.

The Pfizer/BioNTech jab is thus “the best proof that smart progress, smart innovation and smart modernization make the world a better place.”

Scholz also sought to reassure Germans that the pandemic could be overcome. “Yes, things will get better again, yes, we will fight the battle against this pandemic with the utmost determination, and yes, we will win this battle,” he said.

“I am aware that in these days it is sometimes difficult not to lose courage.”

He called on citizens to get vaccinated against Covid-19: “The situation is difficult, but the solution is obvious.”

Just under 70 per cent of Germany’s population is fully vaccinated.

Turning to foreign affairs Scholz declared his support for European cohesion. “The success of Europe is our most important national concern,” he said. “If we want to confidently defend our European way of life, we can only do so together as the European Union.”

As the largest economy in the centre of the continent, Germany bears a special responsibility for this and must build bridges through constant negotiation, Scholz added. “This is what my predecessor did, and this will also guide my actions.”

He offered China cooperation in important policy areas and fair economic competition. At the same time, he pointed out differences on human rights issues.

“The Chinese leadership represents its interests with great self-confidence. Germany and Europe have every reason to represent our interests with equal self-confidence and commitment. We must align our China policy with the China we find in real terms.”

“But that also means that we do not close our eyes to the critical human rights situation, and call violations of universal norms by name.”

A country of China’s size and history has a central place in the international concert of nations, Scholz stressed. “That is why we offer China cooperation on humanity challenges such as the climate crisis, pandemics or arms control.”

The new leader of the opposition Ralph Brinkhaus called for a China strategy from the German government. The CDU/CSU parliamentary leader said that “China is a bigger challenge for our middle class, for our economy, for our prosperity than all the tax and social laws we get wrong and right put together.”

The leader of the far-right AfD’s parliamentary group, Alice Weidel, accused the new government of making a “noisy false start.” She said the coalition had been on a confrontation course “with reality, with freedom, with civil rights, with citizens and with European neighbours and partners from the very first minute.”

The centre-left Social Democrats, the Greens and business-friendly FDP signed their 177-page coalition agreement at the beginning of December, some 10 weeks after the federal election.

Scholz was elected by the Bundestag as the ninth chancellor of the Federal Republic last week, replacing Angela Merkel.