Berlin (dpa) – In his New Year’s address to be broadcast today, Tuesday, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls on German citizens to embrace unity and optimism for 2025. Scholz appeals to citizens to vote in the Bundestag elections on 23 February – and warns against influence via the internet.
In his recorded speech, the Federal Chancellor first recalls the deadly vehicle attack in Magdeburg. A man from Saudi Arabia drove a car into a Christmas market, killing five people and injuring more than 230 others.
Scholz thanked all those who had provided care and medical attention for the wounded. The police and emergency services had acted in a highly professional manner, said the Federal Chancellor, even though many were in shock themselves, and numerous market visitors had spontaneously offered their assistance, too. “This is who we are. This is Germany,” said the Federal Chancellor according to the script of the speech that has been circulated in advance. “We are not a nation of divisiveness, nor one where people simply pass each other by. We are a country of togetherness.”
“This is something we can draw strength from – especially in difficult times such as these,” said Scholz, referring to the unfavourable economic climate, rising prices and Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. In contrast, the Federal Chancellor emphasised Germany’s position as the third largest economy in the world: part of this “success story” was the work done by numerous employees from other countries, said Scholz. “So let’s not allow ourselves to be divided.”
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