Scholz: German election won't be decided by 'owners of social media channels'

euronews (in English)

The German Chancellor delivered a pointed New Year's Eve address, insisting German citizens would decide the fate of the country themselves and encouraging unity in response to a recent attack in Magdeburg.

Transcript

00:00In his New Year's Eve address, Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Germany's citizens to

00:06stick together despite the many global crises and wars, the country's ailing economy, and

00:12a recent Christmas market attack that shocked the country.

00:15The times are difficult. We all feel that. Our economy has to fight. Life has become

00:21more expensive. And many look with a feeling of growing resentment at Russia's brutal

00:27attack against Ukraine.

00:29Scholz reached out to the families of the victims of the Magdeburg Christmas market

00:33attack and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, while also calling for solidarity.

00:40He also called on Germans to vote in the upcoming federal election, seemingly commenting on

00:45the recent endorsement of the far-right AfD by tech billionaire Elon Musk.

00:50If a country has the experience that togetherness can change things for the better, that togetherness

00:57can even bring walls to collapse, then we are that. We here in Germany.

01:04That makes it clear how things will continue in Germany. You, the citizens, decide that.

01:11The owners of social media do not decide that.

01:15Although Scholz did not specifically mention Musk or his social media platform X, politicians

01:20in Germany have expressed outrage over Musk's comments, accusing him of election interference.

01:26In his address, Scholz argued that it would be up to the quote, sensible and decent people

01:31to decide what happens in Germany.

Category

Transcript

Recommended