Chancellor Olaf Scholz: We must be faster than the virus!

In his New Year’s speech, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz first noted the fact that the smooth and even almost friendly transition from the old federal government to the new one, has been hailed around the world. According to him, this “is a good sign of the strength of our society.”

The Chancellor said that “The year 2021 was very challenging for all of us. The coron pandemic with its deep loads and limitations continues to plague us all. “And no one will forget the devastating floods in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate.”

According to Olaf Scholz, no matter how bad both of these events were, Germany as a society faced these challenges resolutely.

“After the flood, we all helped, cleaned and started the reconstruction. “And we will have to deal with that for a long time,” Scholz said.

Even in the fight against the pandemic in Germany, more than 60 million people have now been vaccinated – and the number is growing every day. Some complain these days that our society is “divided.” I want to say with all possible clarity that the opposite is true! Our country stands together. “What I perceive everywhere is a great solidarity, a great willingness to help, a union of forces.”

The Chancellor expressed his gratitude to all those who work every day for our well-being. For our health and our safety – at home and abroad. In hospitals, nursing stations, doctor’s offices or vaccination centers, police stations and the armed forces.

Scholz: We have to be faster than the virus!

Olaf Scholz, expressed regret that even after 21 months the pandemic is not over. And he clarified that banning the celebrations of the change of years and fireworks was done so that the virus does not spread further. In order not to put additional pressure on hospitals and to support the work of nurses and doctors, who are also in service on the night of the exchange of years.

Regarding the continuation of the pandemic and the spread of the variant, Omikron Chancellor said: “I promise you that we will respond quickly and decisively.” and that he is “very happy to be able to rely on the advice of independent experts.”

Chancellor Scholz urged everyone to take the restrictions very seriously, “to protect yourself, to protect your families. To protect us all. ”

Scholzi said: “We know that those who have not yet been vaccinated are particularly at risk of becoming infected and suffering from the disease for a long and serious period of time.

That is why I call on you once again: get vaccinated! We have to be faster than the virus! ”

Decade of new beginnings

As another big task besides fighting the pandemic, the chancellor mentioned “laying the foundations for our country to continue to progress”. He said that the government has set ambitious goals for itself: Germany must be climate neutral in less than 25 years. To do this, said the chancellor we will do the biggest restructuring of our economy since more than 100 years.

During this period, Scholz said, “we will be independent of coal, oil and gas. And at the same time we will produce at least twice as much electricity as today from wind, solar and other renewable energies. A giant task! ”

“To meet these, we will make massive investments in new power grids, charging stations for electric cars, wind turbines, rails and much more. This will create new well-being and good jobs. ” – said Scholz.

Seven economically strong democracies

Starting January 1, Germany takes over the presidency of the G7 group for one year. In this context Scholz said that “progress for a better world – no country can achieve alone. “This can only be achieved if the international community works together.”

Scholz said Germany will use the G7 presidency to pioneer this group of economically strong democracies for a climate-neutral business and a fair world.

At the end of his speech Scholz said: We are at the beginning of a new decade. We are starting a new era. An era that will be good if we actively cooperate and resolutely take our destiny into our own hands!

I wish you all the best for the New Year. Especially health. My big wish for 2022: unity, let’s stay united! / DW

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