Government question time in the German Bundestag
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz answered questions from members of the Bundestag. In his introductory remarks he focused on the current situation in Ukraine. He also called for the implementation of pending legislative initiatives.
The Federal Chancellor called for important projects to be realised by the end of the year.
Photo: Federal Government/Guido Bergmann
For the third time this year, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz answered questions from members of the Bundestag. In his introductory statement the Federal Chancellor focused on the tense situation in Ukraine and stressed Germany’s enduring support. In addition to this, Scholz mentioned that he would shortly be calling a vote of confidence in the Bundestag, and asked the MPs to deliver on the legislative initiatives that are already in the pipeline.
This is what the Federal Chancellor had to say about:
Ukraine
He stressed that it was important to him “that Ukraine knows that all of us – including myself – will continue to support the country in its fight for independence and sovereignty and that Ukraine can rely on Germany as the European country that has made the greatest level of support available”. He spoke in detail about Germany’s military aid worth around 28 billion euros to date, and pointed out that it was now essential that “no decisions are made without Ukraine’s involvement”.
Planned legislative initiatives
The Federal Chancellor stressed that vital decisions had to be made now to ease the burden on citizens. This includes raising child benefits, extending the availability of the Germany Ticket and the rent cap, as well as relief with regard to so-called cold progression of income tax that is in place until 1 January 2025. Planning also provides for structural problems to be addressed through an adjustment of network charges distribution, aiming to secure lower energy prices.
Three times a year – in the last week of sessions before Easter, the summer break and Christmas – the Federal Chancellor attends a plenary government question time session of the German Bundestag. Each government question time session starts with a short statement delivered by the Federal Chancellor. He then answers questions from members of parliament for about an hour.