SPD election campaign kick-off - Gratitude and questions - Ukraine topic in dialog with Scholz
Living in Thuringen, Ukrainians are grateful to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) for the German support of the Ukrainian land facing the Russian attack and Ukrainian refugees. "That was truly unprecedented," said Ilona Mamiyeva from the Ukrainian Compatriots Association in Thuringia at a citizen's dialogue with Scholz in Weimar. She also expressed her concern about the waning support for Ukraine in Germany. "The longer the war lasts, the greater the uncertainty, the louder the Putin apologists." The Ukrainian woman who has fled to Thuringen and works here as a vocational school teacher, Iryna Martynak, expressed her gratitude to Scholz in Weimar.
The Ukrainian war played a greater role in the round with which the SPD Thuringia started the state election campaign. Scholz was asked by an SPD member, looking at Russian President Vladimir Putin, "Have you reflected on what you might have done wrong?" Scholz answered, "The first and main mistake was Putin's decision to conquer and threaten his neighbors."
SPD state chairman Georg Maier stated that the Ukraine issue would be "schindling" in the election campaign and criticized this in particular from BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht, who promises the people: "If you elect us, you will get peace." Scholz has tried to find a solution in talks with Putin. Currently, "there is no solution in sight that could lead to a reasonable end. That's why Ukraine must continue to be supported." "Even if we know that many people in Thuringia see it differently."
Maier: Justice important for stable democracy
Previously, the SPD top candidate had referred to the importance of social justice for the strength of a democracy. "Democracy is always stable and robust when it is just. If we manage that, the populists will not gain support, and the right-wing extremists will not gain support," he said.
The SPD invited around 150 people for its campaign start with Scholz from various areas, who addressed problems in health politics and care. A new Thuringian parliament will be elected on September 1, 2022. The SPD has been part of the red-red-green coalition government in Thuringia since 2014. In the state election 2019, it received 8.2% of the votes. In the latest Insa survey, it was seen at 7.0%.
- Despite the waning support for Ukraine in Germany, Ukraine's refugees living in Thuringia express their gratitude to Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the SPD party for their support during the Ukrainian war.
- The Weimar citizen's dialogue with Scholz saw a Ukrainian woman, Iryna Martynak, express her gratitude for German support, noting the significant role of the Ukrainian war in the SPD Thuringia's state election campaign.
- In the election campaign, SPD state chairman Georg Maier critiqued BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht for promising peace if elected, stating that support for Ukraine is crucial and that justice is essential for a stable democracy.
- Scholz, who has been attempting to find a solution through talks with Vladimir Putin, maintains that Ukraine must continue to be supported, acknowledging that many people in Thuringia hold differing views.
- Despite the SPD's past success in forming a red-red-green coalition government in Thuringia, recent polls show the party at only 7.0% and facing stiff competition upon approaching the September 1, 2022 election.
- The SPD invited around 150 individuals to its campaign start with Scholz, addressing issues in health politics and care, aiming to address concerns and win the support of Thuringia residents in the upcoming election.
