Olaf Scholz



Olaf Scholz (born 14 June 1958) is a German politician who has served as the chancellor of Germany since 8 December 2021. A member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), he previously served as Vice Chancellor in the Fourth Merkel cabinet and as Federal Minister of Finance from 2018 to 2021. He was also First Mayor of Hamburg from 2011 to 2018 and deputy leader of the SPD from 2009 to 2019.

Quotes

 * Most of the citizens of this country certainly wished that the next health minister would be a specialist, really good at what he does, and that his name would be Karl Lauterbach — and it will be.
 * Olaf Scholz cited in: "Epidemiologist Karl Lauterbach to be German health minister" in Politico, 6 December 2021.


 * We are putting all our weapons on the table to show that we (Germany) are strong enough to overcome any economic challenge that this (COVID-19) problem might pose.
 * Olaf Scholz cited in: "Olaf Scholz: Who is Germany's new chancellor?" in BBC News, 8 December 2021.


 * It is only a matter of weeks before Omicron is dominant here (in Germany).
 * Olaf Scholz cited in: "Germany agrees new contact limits to curb COVID-19" in The Star, 22 December 2021.


 * It was Putin who chose this war (2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine), not the Russian people, so we must see clearly that this is Putin's war.
 * Olaf Scholz cited in: "Germany's reversal on Ukraine weapons policy 'response to Putin's aggression'" in DW, 27 February 2022.


 * The Russian invasion of Ukraine marks a turning point. It is our duty to do our best to support Ukraine in defending itself against Putin's invading army.
 * Olaf Scholz cited in: "Germany to supply Ukraine with anti-tank weapons, missiles - Scholz" in Reuters, 27 February 2022.


 * We will have to invest more in the security of our country to protect out freedom and democracy.
 * Olaf Scholz cited in: "Germany to hike defense spending, Scholz says in further policy shift" in The Star, 27 February 2022.


 * It's cynical to tell Ukrainians they should defend themselves against Putin's aggression without weapons.
 * Olaf Scholz cited in: "Germany's Scholz wobbles on tanks for Ukraine" in BBC News, 28 May 2022.


 * It is very important to send a new signal of confidence and hope that this (Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo) accession (into the European Union) process is wanted by the EU (European Union) with great seriousness, and that it also has a realistic chance if everyone makes an effort.
 * Olaf Scholz cited in: "Scholz backs giving chance to Western Balkans on EU membership" in Aljazeera, 10 June 2022.


 * I am not going to join the queue of people who do a quick in-and-out (of Ukraine) for a photo opportunity. If I go (to Ukraine), it will be about concrete things.
 * Olaf Scholz cited in: "Opinion: Olaf Scholz in Kyiv — winning back a bit of trust" in DW, 17 June 2022.


 * [if Beijing] tightens international production chains' dependence on China, [Berlin will] dismantle one-sided dependencies [where needed. German manufacturers are already sourcing] important raw materials, some rare earths or certain cutting-edge technologies [from other partners].
 * Why Western leaders are warily watching the German leader's trip to China (November 3, 2022)


 * Changing borders by force is not acceptable.
 * In an interview on CNN Fareed Zakaria GPS aired (MARCH 5, 2023)

About

 * Now, this was an act of war, pure and simple... against Germany. And...President Joseph Biden, at a press conference in the presence of the chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, said this is going to happen if Russia invaded Ukraine. And, of course, he was asked, well, how do you do this? I mean, how can you how can you be so confident that Nordstrom will be killed and Biden said, well, just, you know, trust me, it’s going to happen.  And so she, bilingual, the Reuters reporter, turned to Scholz – and this is not widely available now for obvious reasons – and she said, well, I mean, do you agree with that? I mean, hello, how do you feel about this? And this hack, this political hack said: we do everything together. We do everything together. We will be together on this now. So... that interview is available in Germany.... I describe Olaf Scholz as kind of the epitome of the abused spouse. Stands there and is abused not only by his master, Joe Biden, but also by this hack that he has as foreign minister. Her name is Baerbock. She is the the most vociferous of all the people saying that we are...at war with Russia.... Here it is exactly to the month, 90 years later. Will the German people acquiesce in their industry, and then their bodies being frozen out this winter? Or will they rise up and say: “Look, Mr Scholz, you don’t know what the hell you’re doing, and neither does Baerbock. Get out of here!”, and replace that government?
 * Ray McGovern, Transcription of Ray’s Feb 11 Comments on Sy Hersh, on Blowing Up Nord Stream Interviewed by Garland Nixon, February 12, 2023