Courage and solidarity: That gives Germany’s top politicians hope for the New Year

politics

Now the time has come: The year 2023 is racing towards us.

Many here in Germany should be happy that the crisis year 2022 is coming to an end – but will everything get better in 2023? Let’s just hope so.

That’s why we asked the top German politicians: What gives you hope for the new year?

These are their answers:

SPD

“Of course I am aware that this will not be an easy turn of the year for many people in Germany. They are confronted with rising prices and are worried about the future.

Nevertheless we can state: Our state proved last year that it can act quickly. Under high pressure, we had to say goodbye to old certainties and break new ground: in security and defense or in energy policy. We have moved even closer together with our partners in Europe and the world and will not allow ourselves to be divided.

The commitment and helpfulness of the citizens gives me hope for the new year. The impressive solidarity with Ukraine is vital for the people there, especially in this really difficult winter. But I also experience with a view to our country that the cohesion is really strong in these hard times – much stronger than we often think. That should give us all hope and courage.“

“I hope that despite the war and crisis, our society will stick together when it matters. And that with persistence and common sense, you can change things for the better.“

“Young people all over the world give me hope in dark timeswho courageously and tirelessly fight for freedom, self-determination and democracy and for their future and that of our planet.”

“The people of this country are very powerful. We are now in the third year of the crisis and I can still see how willing people are to help. When it comes to refugees, or how society holds together.

What I’m proud of is that two-thirds still say in polls that standing with Ukraine is the right thing to do. Although we have an incredible number of challenges domestically and the AfD trying to play them off against each other. So the war in Ukraine against the domestic crisis. We have the crisis under control, we have filled the gas storage tanks and we are making sure that people’s lives remain affordable.

These are all things that give me optimism. That doesn’t mean that 2023 will be as easy as 2019.”

Green

“The solidarity of the people in the crisis-ridden times gives me hope. We can only make it through this difficult winter together and with mutual consideration.

And the courageous people in Iran who oppose the regime’s repression – for women’s rights, for human rights. This tireless commitment gives me hope for a more just world.”

“Our democracy, our institutions and our country are strong. A few months ago everyone was afraid of winter and that the solidarity of the people in Germany with Ukraine would collapse.

We see today that our country can do so much more than some people give it credit for. That gives me confidence for next year.”

“The strong people in Ukraine give me hope. They won’t be deterred.

Despite the terrible dangers and hardships they are going through, they are fighting for our European values; for the values ​​for which we also walked the streets in 1989: freedom, the rule of law, democracy, diversity.“

“My great hope is that the war in Ukraine ends. That the Ukrainians can live freely and independently in their country. That the people can return to their homes, to their towns, villages and houses and that we can help them rebuild support.

I wish for peace and freedom. Not only in Ukraine. But for all people in the world.”

“The women in Iran in particular give me hope at the moment. They have started a movement and have been risking everything for weeks or months, even their own lives.

And they do it solely so that they can live a life of dignity and freedom. That should actually be a matter of course for everyone.”

“This power that is unfolding in Iran. That people are willing to risk their lives for freedom and progress.

Because on the one hand democracy is being attacked in many places and on the other hand there are people who stand up for democratic values ​​and pay a high price for them – that gives me hope.”

FDP

“There is no question that we have had an exhausting and nerve-wracking year. The war in Ukraine and the consequences of it have kept us all very busy and stressed.

But we are not condemned to inaction.

We are making a major contribution to enabling Ukraine to defend itself, we are cushioning the economic consequences and we are doing everything we can to prosecute war crimes that have been committed. The new year will be as good as we make it – with courage and optimism.“

“Despite many setbacks, the desire for freedom and self-determination remains a formative force in our world.

The bitter resistance of the Ukrainians against the Russian war of aggression, the courageous men and women in Iran who finally want to overcome the cruel regime of the Islamic Republic, but also the flare-up of protests against the zero-Covid policy in China.”

“It gives me hope that we as a coalition have learned over the past year to work together constructively.

The traffic light is not an easy alliance, that was clear from the start. We are three very different partners and yet we have mastered the – often unforeseeable – challenges together. Our alliance has shown that it can withstand differences of opinion and is capable of taking action.

That means: I am full of confidence in the coming year and look forward to further cooperation.“

CDU/CSU

“I look to 2023 with confidence as I am certain that together we will continue to have the best ideas to find solutions to all the challenges that lie ahead.

Germany is the land of ideas, we have excellently trained people, I see a young generation that looks at the world very carefully and full of energy. We politicians must pave the way for their new solutions.

I see a particularly large number of young women who approach many tasks in a completely different way. We politicians are happy to support you as role models and mentors.

Because two things are clear: there is still a lot to do and we can only do it together!”

“You can also grow with your tasks and history has often taught us that economic crises can also be catalysts for innovation.

I wish that for our country as a way out of the current gloomy situation.”

“The courageous people in Ukraine and Iran give me hopewho fight for freedom at the risk of their lives and keep showing us all what really matters.”

The left

“I hope that there is a way out of every crisis and that there are many people who, despite all their problems, face the future with commitment, creativity and hope.

That can help to overcome all crises.”

“I have the impression that President Biden is becoming more reasonable step by step, which would have global political significance.”

“The many young people who are taking to the streets for climate justice and are committed to their own future and that of our planet give me hope.

I can only encourage them to continue to put pressure on the government to make the necessary political decisions.”

“I talk a lot with citizens in my constituency. You give me hope.

They sometimes see the problems more clearly than many politicians at the traffic light.”