On December 8, 2021, Olaf Scholz will take his oath of office as Federal Chancellor. A year later the world has changed a lot. Scholz is nevertheless satisfied with his administration.
After a year in office, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has given a positive assessment of the government he has led. "Of course, this year was first and foremost shaped by Russia's brutal war against Ukraine," said Scholz in a video message. "But we have not neglected the tasks that arise for the cohesion of our society."
The relief packages from his government totaled almost 100 billion euros, said Scholz. "And we have mobilized 200 billion euros to ensure that electricity prices, gas prices and district heating prices don't go through the roof this year, next year and the year after that." His goal is "that our economy remains stable and that the citizens, that our country can get through this crisis together".
In the video speech, Scholz listed a number of innovations that his government had implemented: the 100 billion special fund for the Bundeswehr, the increase in the minimum wage to twelve euros and increases in child benefit, housing benefit and child allowance. He also mentioned the expansion of renewable energies and the construction of liquid gas terminals on the coast. In his message, the Chancellor refrained from making self-critical statements about the government anniversary.
The government made up of the SPD, Greens and FDP started its work almost a year ago under the motto "dare more progress". Scholz took his oath of office as Federal Chancellor on December 8th. After the initial enthusiasm, there was a crunch between the three parties - above all from the FDP, after their poor performance in state elections, critical voices came to cooperation. In order to settle the dispute over the continued operation of the remaining nuclear power plants, Scholz officially made use of his directive authority as chancellor.
