As Germany closes a year of economic and political uncertainty, capped with which killed 5 and injured over 200 people, urged the nation to stick together in his New Year speech.
“A joyful evening during the festive season at the Magdeburg Christmas market was transformed into an unimaginable nightmare,” Scholz said, noting that many were wondering “where one can begin to find the strength to carry on after such a disaster?”
“We can find it by standing strong together. We are a country that stands together,” Scholz said.
Magdeburg security under the spotlight
The left-leaning leader praised first responders in Magdeburg, including police and medical staff, but also pointed to ordinary people like a sausage vendor who “spent all night making tea for the wounded and the first responders.”
His prepared address was made public just hours after over the event. Reports in the media raised possible security lapses that might have allowed Saudi-born atheist psychiatrist Taleb A. to commit the attack in a manner strikingly similar .
The German chancellor decried rumors circulating online following the Magdeburg attack, but also pledged investigation.
“Obviously, where security authorities failed to take appropriate precautions, this will be investigated and remediated,” he said.
Scholz hints at Musk’s election interference
Repeating his call for unity, Scholz pointed to German reunification between the capitalist West Germany and socialist East Germany some 35 years ago, saying that this experience “proves that where Germany goes from here will be decided by you — the citizens.”
Scholz also said that Germany’s future “will not be decided by the owners of social media channels” in an obvious swipe at Elon Musk. The owner of X has been growing increasingly vocal in his .
Addressing , Scholz pointed out that Germany still had the third largest economy in the world behind US and China, despite its population of only 84 million people.
Scholz noted that “times are tough, that’s something we all can sense.”
“Our economy is facing challenges. The cost of living has gone up,” he added, pointing the “increasing anxiety about Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.”
“Considering these worries, it is no wonder that many are asking themselves, so where does Germany go from here? Again, my answer is: It is by standing together that we are strong.”
Support for Ukraine, no mention of Israel or Gaza
The politician also pledged Germany would “not leave Ukraine in the lurch” and maintain its support, while also staying level-headed and making sure the war doesn’t spread. The speech made no reference to the ongoing war between and other crisis points in the Middle East.
The chancellor also pleaded with the public to vote , saying that the current situation in the world shows “what a great accomplishment free and fair elections are.”
“Our fate is in our own hands. We can make 2025 a good year,” Scholz said.
Edited by: Wesley Dockery
The post Germany’s Scholz: ‘We can make 2025 a good year’ appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
