“Our country is faced with great challenges,” said Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz in his speech during the general budget debate in the German Bundestag. “We must do all we can to modernise our country.”

Migration and security

Scholz said that legal migration was essential for Germany as a business location owing to the demographic decline. He added that this was why the Federal Government had initiated the Skilled Labour Immigration Act and reformed citizenship law. It was obvious that not everyone could come, he said: “We must be able to choose who comes to Germany.” Asylum protection for persecuted individuals, as enshrined in the Basic Law, was non-negotiable, the Federal Chancellor stressed, and continued by saying that the Federal Government had achieved great change with regard to the way in which irregular migration is handled. The Federal Chancellor referred to accelerated deportations, the security package that is to be discussed in the Bundestag for the first time this week, and the planned joint European asylum system.

In view of the talks about migration with the opposition, Scholz mentioned that it would have been good to agree on solutions to the issue of migration. “We never slam a door shut. They can always return.” The government had presented a concept for effective rejections and was determined to implement it, Scholz stressed.

The future of our country is at stake

The key political question with regard to modernisation of our country was “whether we are pushing forward into the future or seeking to return to the past,” Scholz said. The government had done a lot to enable change, he continued, adding that this was reflected in greater investment in infrastructure such as roads and radio masts, but also in the issue of accelerating approval processes for industrial facilities.

“At the same time, we must improve our country’s growth potential,” Scholz pointed out, referring to the Federal Government’s growth initiative. The goal was to improve opportunities for young people and families as well as to offer better perspectives for those who wish to work, he said. In addition, senior citizens would be enabled to work beyond the usual retirement age, if they wish, Scholz went on, adding that it was essential to guarantee stable pensions. “This is about assuring each individual that their life-time project will lead to security. We guarantee this security for our citizens,” Scholz said.

Peace conference to end the Russian war of aggression

The Federal Chancellor particularly highlighted Germany’s commitment to Ukraine. It was important, he said, to support Ukraine for as long as necessary. At the same time, he added that he was advocating for the war in Ukraine to end. The government would do all it can to bring about peace; however, such peace could not be dictated by Russia on its terms, Scholz pointed out, adding that Ukraine’s sovereignty had to be respected.

“This is the point, this is the time, where we must explore what is possible. And the Ukrainian president is right in what he says, and I will repeat this: we need another peace conference, and Russia must be at the table this time,” Scholz said.