German Chancellor Olaf Scholz left open the possibility of calling a confidence vote in the Bundestag before Christmas, potentially paving the way for early elections, despite his initial announcement that he would address parliament on 15 January.
In an interview with ARD, the main channel of German public television, Scholz said he had no objection to this, provided there is an agreement on a date between Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader Lars Klingbeil and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz.
“I will adhere to it,” the chancellor assured, adding that he wants the process to proceed quickly.
Scholz also dismissed accusations that he had premeditated the dissolution of the governing coalition, emphasising that he had fought until the end to ensure the tripartite coalition remained united, though ultimately it was not possible.
He explained that he stands for “compromise and cooperation,” but added, “when something has ended, it has to end.” Without his repeated efforts for cooperation and compromise, Scholz noted, the government would not have lasted as long as it did, or may not have existed at all. Reflecting on his relationship with Free Democratic Party (FDP) leader Christian Lindner, Scholz described it as “dignified, clear, straightforward, and very understandable for all citizens.”
In response to a question, Scholz expressed confidence that he would again be his party’s (SPD) candidate for chancellor, seeing “good chances” for the SPD to win the elections, and noted he is “a bit calmer” than his opponent Friedrich Merz in handling state affairs.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, he mentioned that he would speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin “soon,” while clarifying that he would coordinate this with the Ukrainian leadership. On the possibility of a phone conversation with Donald Trump, Scholz said it is being arranged. He explained, “we dance with whoever is in the room.”
“This is the world’s strongest democracy, and it will remain our partner,” he added, distancing himself from Merz’s statement that Donald Trump poses a threat to democracy.
Scholz was also asked to respond to comments made by the world’s wealthiest man and owner of the X platform, Elon Musk, who, after the dissolution of the coalition, posted, “Olaf Scholz is an idiot.”
“I am honoured,” the chancellor said, without elaboration.
President-Elect Trump and German Chancellor Scholz Willing to “Cooperate” to Restore “Peace in Europe”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke by phone yesterday with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, with both leaders expressing their “readiness to cooperate for the restoration of peace in Europe,” the German government announced.
The chancellor and the president-elect “exchanged views on German-U.S. relations and current geopolitical issues,” said German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit. “They also expressed readiness to work together to restore peace in Europe,” he added.
Source: AMNA-AFP-Reuters
