House of Worship - Scholz attends the Catholic Day event.
On the eve of his appearance at the German Catholic Day, Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged the people to safeguard democracy. At a citizen's conversation with the "Thuringian General" in Erfurt, Scholz said on Thursday night that the coalition government's legislation to bolster democracy is significant and will be enacted. However, he emphasized that as citizens, it's our responsibility to defend democracy ourselves.
Scholz is set to debate publicly on Friday morning at the Erfurt State Theater, with the title "Supporting Community, Shaping Society - Our Commitment to Democracy."
During the citizen's conversation on Thursday, he emphasized that if anyone threatens democracy, the authorities must take action: "The judiciary, the police, the intelligence service – they can prevent illegal activities, attacks, and intimidation that limits the democratic sphere. We cannot tolerate this."
The vice chancellor, Robert Habeck (Greens), Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens), Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens), Labour Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD), and former CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer are slated to participate in various events alongside the attendees of the Christian Meeting, which started on Wednesday and continues until Sunday. Discussions will center on the preservation of democracy and the matter of war and peace.
At the citizen's conversation, Scholz answered a series of questions - from the Ukraine war to conscription to the nursing reform. When asked about his prediction for the upcoming European Football Championship in Germany, his response was confident: "We win."
Meanwhile, a small group of protesters gathered outside the "Thuringian General" building, contesting Israel's actions in Gaza, as reported by a dpa witness. Scholz, however, sidestepped meeting with the protesters; he entered through a different entrance.
Read also:
- Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to Erfurt included attending the Catholic Day event, which is part of the Christian Meeting that began on Wednesday and continues until Sunday in Thuringia.
- During his address at the citizen's conversation, Chancellor Scholz expressed his concern about the need for citizens to defend democracy themselves, emphasizing the role of authorities in preventing threats to democracy.
- Following his appearance at the Catholic Day event, Chancellor Scholz is scheduled to participate in a public debate titled "Supporting Community, Shaping Society - Our Commitment to Democracy" at the Erfurt State Theater on Friday morning.
- As the Thuringian General, Olaf Scholz is leading a traffic light coalition government in Germany, which has pledged to strengthen democracy through legislation, with notable figures such as Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir, Family Minister Lisa Paus, Labour Minister Hubertus Heil, and former CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer all participating in events during the Christian Meeting.
