The thematic difference to its premiere a year ago could hardly be greater. When Olaf Scholz addressed his first New Year’s speech to the citizens, it was also about how much the past twelve months had challenged people. At that time, however, it was about the flood in the Ahr Valley and Corona. The chancellor warned against Omikron and appealed to be vaccinated.
A year ago, Ukraine did not play a major role. Russia’s war of aggression began just under eight weeks later. At the time, Scholz only briefly called on Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin not to question the “inviolability of borders”.
Now, in his speech on New Year’s Eve 2022, the manuscript of which was made available in advance, this appeal has long since faded away in a terrible way. “A difficult year is coming to an end tonight,” Scholz said at the beginning: “Many are worried about the war. We sympathize with the Ukrainians, who, even on days like today, cannot rest from the Russian bombs and rockets.”
The Chancellor does not go into the ongoing debate about whether Germany should also make tanks available to the government in Kyiv in this situation. He only states that Moscow’s calculation of a quick military success has not yet worked out and that Germany has made a contribution: “The Ukrainians are bravely defending their homeland – also thanks to our help.” to want to “continue to support Ukraine”.
The Chancellor is primarily concerned with his own country, which has been “put to a severe test” by the events: “We all feel the consequences of this war in our everyday lives: when shopping in the supermarket, at the gas station, or when we use electricity – or pay the gas bill.”
As in his government statement a few weeks ago, Scholz is trying to encourage people in difficult times. He recalls the standing together of NATO and the EU: “And we in Germany didn’t give in when Russia turned off the gas taps in the summer.”
For him it is an example of “cohesion and strength” that the energy supply could still be secured this winter. He mentions the new liquid gas terminal in Wilhelmshaven. He thanks that private households and companies have saved energy – and immediately combines this with a new appeal: “This will remain important in the coming months.”
In the New Year’s speech, the Chancellor talked about “the overwhelming compassion and helpfulness with which so many of you meet the refugees from Ukraine”. Scholz reports with pride about a personal encounter with an entire women’s soccer team and their children: “It makes our country a more humane country.”
In general, human encounters are the theme of the man who is so often attested as being unapproachable. They would have “reinforced his confidence,” Scholz wrote on his Instagram channel on Friday. In the speech, he pays tribute to police officers, firefighters, soldiers, craftsmen, engineers, nursing staff and volunteers who are all “writing the history of our country at this turning point”. Everywhere there are places “where you work hard” and “are there for each other”.
As at the end of 2021, social cohesion is his main topic, he describes it as “our greatest pound” – just under completely different, even more dramatic signs.
Scholz does not forget his government’s contribution in the form of relief packages and price caps. The legal innovations that come into force on New Year’s Day are also mentioned – housing benefit, child benefit, tax relief.
Certainly not all viewers will have the feeling of living in a country that, according to Scholz, is “working energetically and quickly towards a good, secure future” and in which “we leave no one behind”. It is not so easy to give courage in these times. At least that’s what the chancellor tries to do in his speech, which ZDF shows at 7:15 p.m. and ARD at 8:10 p.m.
To home page
