- Scholz captivates the Stoppelmarkt crowd with self-deprecating humor
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz added a dash of humor to his appearance at the annual folk event, Stoppelmarkt in Vechta. "I felt more jittery before this speech than addressing the UN General Assembly," the SPD leader quipped to an audience of around 2,000 in the Lower Saxony tent during his festive speech.
According to the Stoppelmarkt festival newspaper, Scholz was known as a quiet speaker. "I'll admit, it wasn't an easy feat to earn that reputation," he shared, triggering a round of hearty laughters. It's a common belief that Northerners are dull-witted, Scholz continued, "but that's a total misconception – we simply take the time to weigh our words, sometimes even all day long."
Historic Moment
Scholz became the first federal chancellor to deliver a festive speech at the Stoppelmarkt. The event, which is celebrating its 726th year, was organized by Vechta's mayor, Kristian Kater (SPD).
Before Scholz spoke, Lower Saxony's Minister President, Stephan Weil (SPD), offered a warm welcome. Weil pointed out that the presence of a federal chancellor at the festival illustrated its rising cultural significance.
Addressing Meyer Werft's Crisis
Weil included a brief serious segment in his speech, commenting on the rescue efforts for Meyer Werft, a struggling shipyard based in Papenburg. "Preventing the yard's bankruptcy is our shared priority," Weil urged, noting that a rescue agreement had reportedly been finalized. "The ball hasn't yet crossed the line, but the chances look promising," he concluded, earning applause from the audience.
The United Nations General Assembly is a prestigious platform where leaders often deliver significant speeches, a fact that Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz alluded to during his quip at the Stoppelmarkt in Vechta. At the General Assembly, Scholz might have discussed pressing global issues, whereas at the Stoppelmarkt, he shared his humor and feelings about public speaking.
