Scholz calls on Germans to unite in solidarity in a new year despite many crises
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$0 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/12/2024 (341 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
BERLIN (AP) — Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Germany’s 84 million residents to stick together despite the many global crises and wars, the country’s ailing economy and a deadly Christmas market attack that shocked the nation.
“Strength comes from solidarity. And we are a country that sticks together,” Scholz said in his New Year’s address, which will be broadcast Tuesday night. “We have it in our hands together: we can make 2025 a good year.”
He acknowledged that Germany is still reeling from the Christmas market attack that killed five and injured more than 200 people in the eastern city of Magdeburg when a Saudi doctor drove his car into a crowd. He was arrested on murder charges.
“We are stunned by this inhuman act. How can an insane assassin cause so much suffering?” Scholz said. “And it is not only in Magdeburg that many are asking themselves: Where can we find the strength to carry on after such a catastrophe?”
He thanked all those who helped the injured and warned that attacks like the one in Magdeburg and other crises should not lead to division among Germans.
“We are not a country of opposing each other, nor of passing each other by,” Scholz said. “We are a country of togetherness. And we can draw strength from this — especially in difficult times like these. And these are difficult times, we all feel that.”
Ahead of a Feb. 23. general election, Scholz called on Germans to go vote and took a swipe at tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who twice this month called on people to choose the far-right Alternative for Germany party. “You, the citizens, decide what happens in Germany. It’s not up to the owners of social media,” Scholz said.
“Our economy is struggling. Life has become more expensive,” he acknowledged, but at same time tried to purvey a sense of optimism. “We are 84 million — just 1% of the world’s population! And yet we are the third largest economic power in the world. Because we are industrious.”
“What’s next for Germany? Once again, my answer is: our solidarity makes us strong,” the chancellor said and asked Germans to approach the new year with confidence.