Scholz continues to rely on 2045

Bunchancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is skeptical about the goals of the initiators of the climate referendum in Berlin. “I am firmly convinced that what the federal government has set itself is exactly the right way, namely to ensure that we modernize our country technologically,” Scholz said on Saturday after a public discussion in Potsdam. “Fictitious dates that you can’t keep to are of no help. (…) This is only possible if you actually ensure that the right decisions are made so that we can operate in a climate-neutral manner in 2045 and still be an economically strong country.”

A “Climate Restart” alliance wants Berlin to commit to becoming climate neutral by 2030 and not by 2045 as previously planned. The federal government also wants to achieve climate neutrality by 2045, i.e. offsetting the emission of gases that are harmful to the climate.

At the public talks in Potsdam led to a lively debate. Several visitors appealed to Scholz to do more. One woman said she sees it as criminal if you slow down the switch to a fossil-free economy. “I disagree with you,” Scholz replied. He wants to make it “that we can do business” and climate protection is guaranteed with climate neutrality. The chancellor announced a monitor by the federal government to find out how many wind power and solar systems are needed – for all federal states. Another woman said: “First of all, thank you very much that we didn’t freeze in the winter.” But much more needs to be done to protect the climate.

Scholz also addressed the concerns of several fathers and mothers, who pointed to the growing cost of school lunches. Parents were increasingly opting out of eating because they didn’t have the resources, said Doreen Gierke from the Potsdam workers’ welfare organization. “It is very important to me that we improve the conditions for children,” said Scholz. The federal government has increased child benefit and introduced a child supplement for families with little money or single parents. The big task is to get families to use it. Only 30 percent take advantage of the surcharge.

The Chancellor also reported on the EU summit in Brussels, from which he recently returned. He’s been with France’s President Emmanuel Macron had breakfast. “I do that more often,” said Scholz and announced a visit from Macron: “He’ll be coming to Potsdam soon.” A date is still open.

The Ukraine war was repeatedly a topic in conversations with citizens. Scholz assumes that the war will last longer. “We have to be prepared for the fact that we have to guarantee support for a long time,” he said. The Ukrainian Oxana Ronis thanked Scholz. She has lived in Germany for 22 years and came with her parents, who have been here for a year. “Thank you for your work, for your effort to give people the opportunity to have a better life.” Scholz then said briefly and succinctly: “Thank you very much!”

The SPD politician also revealed something private about himself and revealed the grade point average he had in high school. When asked by younger visitors whether a teacher had once told him that he would never get anywhere, he said: “I had a high school diploma with 1.6 – in this respect this sentence was not said to me,” said Scholz and added : “Or 1.7, – was so long ago.”