Germany: Olaf Scholz’s appeal to continue saving energy

Chancellor Soltz called on citizens to stay united and trust in their own strength. “Tonight at midnight a difficult year ends,” he said in his New Year’s message. “Putin is waging an imperialist war of aggression in the heart of Europe, but the story of 2022 isn’t just about war, suffering and anxiety, it’s about cohesion, strength, and yes, optimism too.”

Returning to the beginning of the war, Soltz underlined that the Russian president did not manage to occupy Ukraine in a few days as he had planned, “on the contrary, he underestimated the defense readiness of Ukraine, while the EU and NATO were not divided, “on the contrary, they are united as never before in the past”. But Germany didn’t bend either “when Russia shut off the natural gas tap in the summer, because we didn’t allow ourselves to be blackmailed.” The German chancellor showed understanding for citizens’ concerns and referred to everyday problems. “Many are concerned and feel the impact when shopping at the supermarket, at petrol stations or on their electricity or gas bill.” Solz called on Germans at the end of a difficult year despite problems and concerns to be optimistic, united and committed to social cohesion.

He asked them to continue saving energy, adding, however, that the natural gas tanks are also full, because “together we saved energy in the previous months, this will remain important in the coming months as well. That’s why I want to express my sincere thanks today.” At the same time, he hastened to add that from tomorrow Sunday, at the beginning of 2023, a series of reliefs for citizens will come into force, the expanded housing benefit, the increased child benefit, tax reductions amounting to 19 billion euros and ceilings on the prices of electricity, natural gas and district heating . “Our cohesion is our biggest advantage, my wish is that we will remain like this next year as well.”

Olaf Solz, as he has done on other occasions, referred to the mobile liquefied natural gas terminal he recently moored in Wilhelmshaven, in the North Sea. The necessary pipelines were built in less than 200 days, and other LNG terminals will soon be operational. “In this way we make the country and Europe independent of Russian natural gas on a permanent basis and at the same time we will overcome this winter” he said. At the same time he outlined the image of a country of innovation, in which people fight for others. He praised the compassion and willingness to help, “with which so many of you are dealing with the refugees from Ukraine.”

He also referred to his meetings with young technicians and engineers who are “recycling batteries and electric cars across the country or developing modern air heat pumps. “All of them take care with their work so that our country has a good future. Everywhere there is work, movement, this is Germany at the beginning of this new year, a strong country, working with strength and speed towards a sure and secure future. A country that joins forces to leave no one behind, whether in the city or the countryside, old or young, well-off or less well-off, whether born here or came later.”