Scholz affirms his intentions for running as chancellor in 2025.
The recent elections took a turn for the worse for the SPD. Chancellor Scholz acknowledges the chaos: It's too noisy, hard to discern the government's decisions amidst the fog. Meanwhile, he shares his thoughts on his chancellor nomination.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz firmly believes he'll be the SPD's candidate again for the federal election next year. In a chat with ARD, when asked if he was sure despite criticism, he simply replied "Yes". Polls place him behind Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
Scholz made it clear why he wouldn't vote for a confidence motion following the traffic light parties' lackluster performance in the European election. "We have a majority in parliament. We've recently passed laws in the German Bundestag and we have a mandate to carry out our work," Scholz explained during a pre-departure interview from the G7 summit in Bari, Italy.
French President Emmanuel Macron's sudden call for early parliamentary elections, Scholz kept to himself, stating, "I'm not gonna pass judgment from the outside." France boasts a unique political system distinct from Germany, in which presidents are elected directly and there's no proportional representation but rather constituencies.
Scholz: Less fog in the traffic light
Following the traffic light coalition's poor results in the European election, Scholz urges unity. In an interview with ntv, he stressed that brushing off the election losses isn't the solution. That means, " primarily, finishing the tasks left undone."
At ZDF, Scholz confessed, "I believe that is one of the critical points of many citizens, that too much is debated," so the SPD politician in an interview at the G7 summit in Southern Italy. "In the end, a lot is decided, but sometimes it's hard to see what's decided behind the fog."
Next up is the budget for next year - a task that needs immediate attention, to be finalized by the start of next month. It's about fostering good growth and creating modern jobs. "That means we have to stick together and pull together in the way we find consensus."
Scholz: We must hold on tight
Looking forward to the federal election next year, Scholz remains hopeful, in spite of the recent electoral setback, and promises to present a balanced, promising platform. "But I'd like to emphasize that this means everyone must also keep a firm grip now," Scholz added, "particularly my party, which is dealing with the strenuous situation collectively."
The SPD recorded its weakest result of 13.9% in a nationwide vote at the European election. They were beaten by the AfD and vastly outperformed by the CDU.
Read also:
- In light of the disappointing results for the SPD in the European elections, Olaf Scholz expressed the need for unity within the 'Traffic light coalition' of ALLIANCE 90/The Greens, FDP, and SPD, emphasizing the importance of completing unfinished tasks to regain public trust.
- Despite criticism and trailing behind Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in polls, Olaf Scholz upheld his confidence in securing the SPD's chancellor nomination for the 2025 federal elections, following ALLIANCE 90/The Greens and FDP in forming a possible 'Traffic light coalition' government.
- Olaf Scholz, together with ALLIANCE 90/The Greens and FDP as potential coalition partners, highlighted the significance of achieving a balanced budget and fostering modern job opportunities in Germany for the upcoming elections, encouraging unity and collective action within the parties to restore public support.
