Scholz relies on his “course of prudence” in the European election campaign
Published: Saturday, Apr 27th 2024, 19:30
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Hamburg (dpa) - At the start of the SPD's European election campaign, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized his "course of prudence" in the war in Ukraine. "I am surprised when some people say that level-headed politics is not right," the Chancellor emphasized at a major rally in his home city of Hamburg on Saturday. "We are doing most things, but we are doing them wisely, at the right time and with the utmost consistency."
Promises to those "who are afraid"
Scholz reiterated that Germany would continue to stand by Ukraine's side under his leadership as - as he said - the largest arms supplier, but would avoid a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia. "To those who are worried, who are afraid, I say: you can rest assured that no matter how the debates go, the German Chancellor, the government I lead, will not abandon the course of prudence, the course of balanced action and ensuring peace and security in Europe."
Scholz has been sharply criticized by the CDU/CSU, but also by politicians from his two coalition partners, the Greens and the FDP, for saying no to the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. According to polls, however, the vast majority of the population supports his decision. Against this backdrop, Scholz was accused of having made the decision against Taurus in order to be able to run a "peace campaign".
In the tradition of Brandt and Schmidt
"Peace" is now one of the central terms on the SPD election posters for the European elections on June 9, on which Scholz and lead candidate Katarina Barley can be seen together. Party leader Lars Klingbeil explained this at the rally at the Altona fish market by saying that the SPD, with its former chancellors Willy Brandt and Helmut Schmidt, has always stood up for peace in the world. "And our Social Democratic Chancellor Olaf Scholz is continuing this policy in this tradition. And I am grateful for the level-headed way he is acting at a time when so much is falling apart at the seams."
Ukraine war before pensions and the fight against the right
Scholz placed the war in Ukraine at the beginning of his first election campaign speech - ahead of other topics such as the fight against the right and his rejection of raising the retirement age. At a discussion event with citizens in Lüneburg immediately before the start of the election campaign, he reiterated his rejection of a Taurus delivery - and even mentioned the cruise missile by name, something he has always avoided in the past.
The weapon has a range of 500 kilometers and is so precise, "we can directly target a living room," he said. That's why he said: "This is only responsible if we retain control of the targeting." But that would mean participating in war and was therefore out of the question.
Barley: Ukrainians alone decide on the end of the war
Barley emphasized that the Ukrainians would not be pressured into a peace agreement. "Only they alone can decide when and how this war will end. Until then, we will support them."
In addition to the issue of peace, the SPD wants to focus its election campaign on the fight against the right and for democracy, the rule of law and social justice. Scholz is to play a leading role alongside Barley. "He is a central player in this election campaign, and that will be reflected accordingly," announced General Secretary Kevin Kühnert at the presentation of the election campaign last Thursday.
Scholz at three further rallies
In the last European elections in 2019, the SPD achieved its worst result in a nationwide election with 15.8% of the vote. It is currently polling at 16 to 17%.
Scholz will take part in three further rallies in Karlsruhe (May 18), Leipzig (June 1) and at the end of the election campaign on June 8 in Duisburg. Joint discussion events with Barley are also planned.
©Keystone/SDA
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