Scholz vows to modernize Germany under his ‘government of progress’

BERLIN (DPA), 15 DEC, 2021 – New Chancellor Olaf Scholz intends to modernize Germany, he told the Bundestag on Wednesday, during his first government statement since taking office last week.

He told the parliament that his left-leaning coalition wants to create “a modern Germany” in the coming years. “The government that now begins its work under my leadership will be a government of progress,” Scholz said. He held out the prospect of a government of social, societal and cultural progress, but emphasized above all technological leaps. This is the only way Germany can become climate neutral and keep up with global competition, he said.

The chancellor added that the “power of progress” was particularly evident in the pandemic, noting that a coronavirus vaccine developed in Germany has protected the lives of millions of people worldwide.

The Pfizer/BioNTech jab is thus “the best proof that smart progress, smart innovation and smart modernization make the world a better place.”