Friday December 31, 2021
New Year’s Address of Hope
Scholz: “Let’s stay together”
Corona pandemic, floods: Germany has had a difficult year. Olaf Scholz knows that too – and therefore appeals to the unity of the citizens. This is the only way to cope with the challenges in the new year: As his “great wish for 2022”, the Chancellor says: “Let’s stay together!”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called on society to act together in the fight against the ongoing corona pandemic and in the planned renewal of the country. In his first New Year’s address as Chancellor, the Social Democrat appealed to citizens to use all vaccination offers in view of the rapidly spreading omicron variant of the virus. At the same time, he asked for understanding for the new restrictions that came into force after Christmas, for example on private contacts. Joint action is also necessary if Germany is to achieve its climate goals and to become independent of coal, oil and gas in less than 25 years.
“The year 2021 was very challenging for all of us,” said Scholz in retrospect. The corona pandemic with its burdens and profound restrictions “is in our bones”. And nobody will forget the devastating floods in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate anytime soon. “As bad as both were – our reaction to them also contains a thoroughly positive message: As a society in Germany we have resolutely accepted these challenges.”
Scholz again denied that German society was divided as a result of the corona pandemic. “The opposite is true. Our country stands together. What I notice everywhere, that is a huge solidarity, that is an overwhelming willingness to help, that is a new move closer together and underhand.” Scholz thanked everyone who works daily for the common good, health and safety – whether in hospitals, nursing wards, doctor’s offices or vaccination centers, in police stations and in the armed forces. He also thanked those citizens who tried to adhere to the applicable rules.
“We have to be faster than the virus”
With a view to the new restrictions, Scholz emphasized that the virus is even easier to transmit in the new Omikron variant. “Please take these restrictions very seriously. For your protection, for the protection of your families. For the protection of all of us.” Those who have not yet been vaccinated should do so now, those who have already been vaccinated should get boosted quickly. “Now it depends on the speed. We have to be faster than the virus,” said Scholz. “Let’s do everything together – but really everything – so that we can finally defeat Corona in the new year.”
Scholz admitted that the different opinions and assessments of Corona are “often exhausting”. But there is no division in society. Rather, he observed “a huge solidarity”, “overwhelming willingness to help” and “a new move closer together and undercut”. Scholz expressly thanked everyone who campaigned “for our health and safety”, whether in hospitals and nursing wards or in the police and armed forces.
Scholz rated the change of government, which he saw as smooth and “almost amicable”, as “a good sign for the strength of our society”. The past year brought many changes. A “small change” is: “Tonight, as Federal Chancellor, I am addressing the New Years address to you.” As his “great wish for 2022, Scholz expressed:” Let’s stay together! “
“The 1920s will be a decade of new beginnings”
The other big task besides Corona is to lay the foundation for Germany to continue making good progress, said Scholz. “The 20s will be a decade of new beginnings.” The federal government wants to promote the biggest restructuring of the German economy. “We will be able to master the big changes of our time together and with one another. If we stick together as a community. Respect, recognition and good life chances for everyone are the prerequisites for this,” emphasized Scholz.
As a modern industrial country, Germany will achieve its climate goals. “And our technologies are still among the best in the world.” Germany has everything it needs for this: well-trained skilled workers, clever engineers, active craft businesses and companies. Progress for a better world could not be achieved by any country alone, said Scholz. That can only succeed if the international community works together on it. Germany wants to use its now beginning presidency in the group of G7 states so that this group of states becomes a pioneer. “A pioneer for climate-neutral business and a fair world.”