Olaf Scholz succeeds Angela Merkel who has been Germany’s Chancellor for the last 16 years. 

Last Tuesday, the SPD politician was speaking in Berlin at a joint press conference with Green Party leader Robert Habeck and FDP leader Christian Lindner. He praised Germany’s Eastern neighbour Poland by calling it a “great nation” and a “democracy.” He emphasised that Poland’s dispute with the EU over the rule of law must be “clearly assessed.”

Olaf Scholz further stressed that “it is very important for the new German government to shape this neighbourhood in a friendly manner.”

“I am very happy that Poland is part of the EU and that people can get along with each other, but sometimes also struggle (…) As a country in the centre of Europe, Germany is not called to stand aside and make bad or kind comments,” he added.

The chancellor-designate emphasised that Germany is “responsible for coexistence in Europe,” and had to “ensure that the continent is not divided into North-South or East-West.”

Regarding the never-ending rule of law dispute, he argued that the issue needs to be reviewed since “it also brings us together in Europe, a union of states committed to the rule of law and liberal democracy.”

The German newspaper “Die Welt” also said that Olaf Scholz has assured Poland of his support in resolving the conflict on the border with Belarus.

On Tuesday, the SPD, the Greens and the FDP signed a coalition agreement. On Wednesday, Mr Scholz, representing the SPD, was elected chancellor by the Bundestag.

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen

Photo: Twitter @OlafScholz