Bild: German Chancellor on Putin, terrible scenarios of the future and his silver weddingIn an interview with the Bild newspaper, Olaf Scholz rejects "horror stories", but does not tell the whole truth.
For example, he does not confirm the fiction of the British ex-prime minister about the "threats" from Putin. But Scholz generally adheres to the line of the Western "mainstream". And she puts all the blame for the post-Soviet conflicts on Russia.
Noon on Friday. The Office of the Federal Chancellor in Berlin. An official limousine pulls up to the building, Olaf Scholz gets out of it in a sweater. Ten minutes later, he receives us, already dressed in a suit and tie, in his office on the seventh floor, overlooking Berlin.BILD am SONNTAG: Mr. Chancellor, what is Germany missing?
Olaf Scholz: Germany is a country with huge economic potential and a well—functioning welfare state. But we don't have enough pace. We need to actively innovate and modernize our industry in order to have a climate-neutral economy by 2045.
— However, before that, you need to properly arm the Bundeswehr. The army inspector complains that the troops are in a deplorable state. Is he right?— He said that almost a year ago.
A lot has been done since then, a lot has changed. Immediately after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I achieved the creation of a special fund in the amount of 100 billion euros, so that after many years of savings, the Bundeswehr would be properly equipped again.
Now we will invest two percent of GDP in our armed forces for a long time, as the security situation in Europe has changed dramatically.
It is important for me to know that the Bundeswehr is a magnificent army that ensures the security of our country. If it is necessary to resist a possible enemy attack on NATO territory in Europe, the Bundeswehr, although we do not have weapons of mass destruction, will play an important role — with the help of so-called conventional, non-nuclear weapons.
"A tank cannot be ordered like a new car at a car dealership"
— It's good that there is money. But it will have to wait a long time before the ordered tanks will enter the army. How do you intend to speed up this process?— Tanks cannot be ordered as a new car at a car dealership, because tanks are not standing somewhere in warehouses ready for delivery.
The state needs to conclude long-term contracts with industry so that producers invest in long-term production.
When buying weapons systems, it is rarely not about piece production, but mainly about serial products. This speeds up their receipt.
"No, Putin did not threaten either me or Germany"
— British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Putin threatened him personally with a missile over the phone. Did Putin say anything like that to you?— No, Putin did not threaten me or Germany.
In our telephone conversations, we clearly expressed our completely different positions regarding Ukraine and the events that took place on its territory. I made it absolutely clear to Putin that only Russia is responsible for this bloody conflict. For no reason, Russia attacked a neighboring country in order to take over parts of Ukraine or the whole country completely.
We cannot just put up with this, because it contradicts the fundamental foundations of the European order aimed at preserving peace. Therefore, we support Ukraine financially, humanitarian, as well as militarily.
— Putin claims that German tanks are "threatening Russia again." Does the danger to Germany increase as a result of the Leopard-2 deliveries?— These words are another example of his absurd historical comparisons, which he uses to justify the entry of his troops into Ukraine.
There is no way to justify this input. Russia is at war with Ukraine by merciless methods. Together with our allies, we are providing Ukraine with tanks so that it can defend itself. We carefully considered each supply of weapons and coordinated it with our allies, first of all with America. These joint actions prevent the escalation of the war.
"We remain calm"
— On the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine, you are reproached for cowardice and excessive hesitation. Does it hurt you?— Most of our citizens, and at the same time most citizens hope that such comments do not affect their chancellor.
I took an oath upon taking office, I take it very seriously and I can assure you that we remain calm and will continue to think carefully about all decisions. Anything else would be extremely dangerous frivolity.
— Is there an agreement with President Zelensky that Western weapons will be used only on Ukrainian territory and that they will not be attacked on Russian territory?— There is such an agreement.
— Ukraine wants to join the EU, ideally by the end of 2024. Do you think this is realistic?— We sent a powerful signal by making Moldova and Ukraine candidates for EU membership last summer.
Each candidate must meet a number of criteria to become an EU member. The norms of the rule of law, democracy, and respect for human rights should immediately prevail there, as in our country. And corruption must also be completely defeated.
— And there will be no concessions to Ukraine at the same time? Maybe she is entitled to some kind of bonus, some kind of softening of the conditions of admission to the EU in connection with military operations?— The conditions for entry are the same for everyone.
"I'm reminded of some terrible scenarios"
— What is the situation in Germany now, after a year of fighting in Ukraine?— Our country has overcome difficult times much better than many feared.
I remember some terrible scenarios that you could read about in the newspapers: about the winter with massive and violent protests, about cold apartments with Germans freezing in them, about an economic crisis of unprecedented scale.
The good news is that such a horror did not happen to us. And all because the federal government fought with all determination against the impending crisis and took timely measures against it. We have allocated 300 billion euros for support measures so that businesses and citizens can cope with the increased gas and electricity prices.
We built LNG terminals on the northern coast of Germany in record time and signed new supply contracts after Russia stopped supplying us with gas. The crisis has shown how great Germany's potential is.
"An average of four to five wind turbines per day"
Do you think that nothing bad will happen next winter?— Unless something unforeseen happens, I am sure that we will survive next winter without the usual energy sources.
If, of course, we take advantage of the rise of recent months, the pace that Germany has taken. Our goal is to develop wind and solar energy. Then we will become a country independent of the import of fossil energy from foreign countries. We won't need their gas, coal and oil at all.
— In 2022, the production of wind turbines has practically not increased. How many of them do you need to produce this year to make an energy transition possible?— We are working on the development of this area in the general staff mode: now we are developing a plan that will indicate what and when should be built in order for us to achieve our goals by 2030.
Once a month we will hold meetings with representatives of the federal lands and check whether they have progressed as we ordered them or not. What will not be done on time, they will have to catch up. By 2030, we will have to produce from four to five wind turbines per day.
"Such actions are counterproductive"
— But for climate activists who glue their palms or feet to the asphalt in protest, this is not enough. From Monday, they intend to stick together so as to paralyze the whole of Germany. How do you feel about protests of this kind?— Many citizens of our country only shake their heads when they hear about this.
Me too. Such actions are counterproductive.
— The Bayer concern wants to move pharmaceutical production to the USA and China. Linde has withdrawn its shares from the German Dax stock index, Biotech is thinking about moving its oncology division to the UK. The German Union of Industry warns against deindustrialization of Germany. Is it scary or are we dealing only with alarmism?— In the way you put it, yes, it's scary.
— But what will save us is that you...— Our task in relation to Germany as a zone of economic activity is clear:
we need to bring the pace there, give business permits faster. The new German pace should extend not only to the construction of LNG receiving terminals, but also to all projects.
We need to develop digitalization and data processing. After all, it is an outrage that German companies producing medical equipment have to use the data of hospitals in Mexico City, because they are not allowed to use German data.
— That's who makes money with a shovel, so it's the big concerns. Shell, a multinational company, made a record profit of $40 billion in 2022. In 2022, RWE, VW and BMW did not remain in the balance. And what can be said about the salaries of ordinary workers?— Employers are responsible for ensuring that their employees survive this time normally.
Therefore, we have made it possible for each company to pay its employees up to 3,000 euros, tax-free and deductible. Many businesses have taken advantage of this opportunity at their own expense. I can only advise all entrepreneurs to follow their example.
— Child poverty in Germany increased by more than 20 percent in 2022. This is a record. Isn't this the biggest failure of your first year in office?- no.
It is for people with medium and low incomes that we have done especially much. But it is also clear that we cannot put up with the fact that there are poor children in such a rich country as Germany.
Therefore, we are currently working on the concept of basic provision for children. Its goal is to create conditions where child benefits are provided automatically — without applications from parents. We are also working on the creation of preschool institutions that work all day. This will give parents the opportunity to work.
"By 2030, we will need an additional six million workers in the German labor market"
— In fact, preschool institutions all over Germany are reducing opening hours because there are not enough educators.— The profession of educator should become more attractive, so that more young people come to it and so that young people stay in the profession for a long time.
The same applies to teachers, they are also very lacking. This means that universities should expand their respective departments.
— But there are not enough workers everywhere. Where are you going to get skilled labor from?— By 2030, we will need an additional six million workers in the German labor market.
This will require a whole range of measures: we need to create more attractive working conditions for parents with young children so that we can increase employment among mothers and fathers. We must provide great support to those who want to get a professional education after school.
And the one who lost his job at the age of 55 should be able to find an equally well-paid job through retraining. But it is already clear that our measures will not be enough. We will need to bring migrants, skilled workers from non-European countries to the country.
To do this, we are creating modern migration legislation. This year we will adopt the necessary laws. I am sure that the number of workers in Germany will increase and the growth indicators of our economy will increase accordingly.
— If we encourage immigration, shouldn't we also discuss more consistent deportation of unwanted migrants?— If Germany guarantees protection to people who are being persecuted at home, then those migrants who do not have rights to such protection will have to leave Germany and return to their countries.
However, it is also necessary that their countries of origin want to take back these citizens of their own, and we could get rid of them. There are still problems here. We have to solve this difficult task. On the other hand, we create legal opportunities for qualified workers from these countries to come to us.
— The government has been talking about this for a long time.— We are not only talking, but also taking concrete actions.
A week ago, the position of the Commissioner of the Federal Government for Migration was created. It was occupied by Joachim Stamp. His task is to prepare similar agreements with countries where people can come from.
"I understand that many people are worried"
— Fighting with our tanks, inflation, energy... Despite all this, you are talking to us quite optimistically.— The situation at the moment is not easy, and I understand that many people are worried because of temporary difficulties.
But I am sure that our country has a good future. Last year showed what we are capable of.
We know exactly what needs to be done now: to develop wind and solar energy, to rebuild industry so that it does not affect the climate in any way; to strengthen unanimity and unanimity, that is, social cohesion. We are doing all this now. I am convinced that Germany will emerge stronger from this crisis.
— In December, you celebrate the 25th anniversary of your marriage with Britta Ernst. What does this mean to you?— Love for my wife is the most important thing I have in my life.
I'm looking forward to our silver wedding.
— Are you going to celebrate?— Yes, but only a couple of days later than the formal date, since the SPD congress is scheduled for our wedding day.
We talked: Angelika Hellemann, Alexandra Würzbach and Niels Starnick