German chancellor praises ‘well-integrated’ immigrants at party meeting

ISTANBUL

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised German-speaking immigrants in a speech during a party rally, saying they are “part of Germany” and its democracy.

The German Social Democratic Party (SPD) launched its campaign for early general elections on 23 February 2025 through an election victory conference in Berlin, where Scholz, the SPD chancellor candidate, stated that Germany would need 288,000 foreign skilled workers annually until 2040, according to the German Social Democratic Party (SPD). research.

Germany is a country of immigration, but the main opposition Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) do not want to acknowledge this fact, Scholz said, adding that 25 million people living in the country have a migration background.

“I want to tell them with all my heart that we belong to each other as neighbors and colleagues, as friends at school and in sports clubs. We are all part of Germany. We will not allow ourselves to be divided.”

Saying he was outraged that main opposition leader Friedrich Merz said he would repeal the new citizenship law if he won the election, Scholz said: “I think that everyone who lives and works here permanently, who is well integrated and speaks our language should be part of our country. They should have a voice in our democracy.”

Scholz said he wants to protect industrial employment, invest more in infrastructure, support companies investing in the country and address skilled labor shortages to lift the country out of its economic crisis, adding that he would reform the “debt brake.” An application that limits new borrowing by Germany to allow investment in the country.

Scholz also made remarks about the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “imperialism” is destroying all of Ukraine and the peaceful order in Europe.​​​​​​

“If Putin succeeds in his imperialist war, our security will also be in serious danger,” the chancellor said.

* Author: Efe Ozkan.​​​​​

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