Social Democrats candidate for chancellor Olaf Scholz kicks off election campaign
Record ID:
1632101
Social Democrats candidate for chancellor Olaf Scholz kicks off election campaign
- Title: Social Democrats candidate for chancellor Olaf Scholz kicks off election campaign
- Date: 14th August 2021
- Summary: SIGN READING (German): 'SCHOLZ TAKES IT ON' WITH PAN TO SPD LEADER NORBERT WALTER-BORJANS SPEAKING ON STAGE VARIOUS OF SPD SUPPORTERS AT RALLY (SOUNDBITE) (German) SPD SUPPORTER, ANJA BUTSCHKAU, SAYING: "Yes, of course I am happy about it. And the upwind is there. The momentum is there and I'm completely convinced, that's why I'm wearing this T-shirt, that we're going even further up." (SOUNDBITE) (German) SPD SUPPORTER, MAXIMILIAN MIZEUC, SAYING: "I would say, on the one hand, our strong candidate for chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and on the other hand the competition is also missing out on opportunities, if you look at our Minister President Armin Laschet, who made a fool of himself in the flood affair. Especially with the pictures of him laughing behind Steinmeier. Just like (Annalena) Baerbock with the various affairs." (SOUNDBITE) (German) SPD SUPPORTER, NIKOLAUS SCHÃœRHOLZ, SAYING: "Actually, I would not thank the Greens and the CDU now, because we have actually always worked very hard on our issues in terms of content. Of course, we have always regarded the Greens and the CDU as competitors or colleagues, but actually we Social Democrats have worked a lot on that." SCHOLZ ARRIVING ON STAGE SPD SUPPORTERS APPLAUDING (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER AND SOCIAL DEMOCRATS' (SPD) CANDIDATE OLAF SCHOLZ, SAYING: "It is very, very strange that in this situation, after we have done this, after we have held together in this way, some people are of the opinion: People who earn as much as I do, or even more, need a proper tax cut. That is not only unaffordable, it is not in solidarity and immoral, dear friends." SPD SUPPORTERS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER AND SOCIAL DEMOCRATS' (SPD) CANDIDATE OLAF SCHOLZ, SAYING: "And that's why we want to build not only 400,000 houses, but 100,000 subsidised ones every year, so that the situation will ease bit by bit." VARIOUS OF SCHOLZ ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER AND SOCIAL DEMOCRATS' (SPD) CANDIDATE OLAF SCHOLZ, SAYING: "We need stable pensions above all because of the young people. Because those who now leave school at 17 and do their professional training, the young women and the young men, they know that they will work until the age of 67. By the way, that's the end of it, we don't want any further increase in the retirement age. We reject such a proposal." SCHOLZ SPEAKING ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER AND SOCIAL DEMOCRATS' (SPD) CANDIDATE OLAF SCHOLZ, SAYING: "Yes, too little is being earned. Many citizens of the country work hard and earn far too little. And you can see it most clearly when I underline a demand here once again. I demand a minimum wage of 12 euros. I want to push this through in the first year of my chancellorship." VARIOUS OF SPD SUPPORTERS SCHOLZ ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER AND SOCIAL DEMOCRATS' (SPD) CANDIDATE OLAF SCHOLZ, SAYING: "In the face of this challenge for the future, it must be explicitly said that we now have the task of tackling it, and that is why I would also like to add one more thing with regard to the CDU/CSU: they know nothing about economics." VARIOUS OF WALTER-BORJANS AND CO-SPD LEADER SASKIA ESKEN LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER AND SOCIAL DEMOCRATS' (SPD) CANDIDATE OLAF SCHOLZ, SAYING: "And then of course, and this is where it gets uncomfortable, we also have to say clearly that we have to change quite a few laws so that we can finish on time, so that we can get everything built that is necessary for this in the short time that we now have ahead of us. From the electricity network to offshore wind farms, onshore wind farms, solar energy and everything else we need. Because if we put that off, we'll never get it done. And then we'll have told people the wrong thing. That can't happen. We have to get this done. And that's why we have to make it a top priority of economic policy to lay the foundations for our future prosperity." SCHOLZ ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER AND SOCIAL DEMOCRATS' (SPD) CANDIDATE OLAF SCHOLZ, SAYING: "I am quite touched, I also want to say, by the polls that say that many trust me with taking on the chancellorship. But we want to use this moment to make more of it, to convince many. Not alone here at such rallies, but in conversation with all those who are close to us. The neighbours, the friends, the family, the colleagues and all the others we can reach. Let us work together to ensure that Germany tackles its future. The SPD is ready for that. Thank you very much." SPD SUPPORTERS APPLAUDING SCHOLZ WITH OTHER SPD MEMBERS ON STAGE
- Embargoed: 28th August 2021 13:19
- Keywords: Olaf Scholz SPD Social Democrats election campaign minimum wage national election tax cuts
- Location: BOCHUM, GERMANY
- City: BOCHUM, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Europe,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA002EQ93JUV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: German Finance Minister and the Social Democrats' (SPD) candidate for chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said tax cuts for high incomes was immoral during a rally in the western industrial city of Bochum on Saturday (August 14), kicking off his campaign for the September 26 national elections.
"Some people are of the opinion that people who earn as much as I do or even more need a proper tax cut," said Scholz. "That is not only unaffordable, it is not in solidarity and immoral."
Scholz attacked the present coalition partner, the Christian Democrats' (CDU/CSU) under German chancellor Angela Merkel, for not dealing efficiently with the current challenges in society and work environment.
"They know nothing about economics," Scholz said.
Regarding social policy, Scholz said his party did not support further increase to the retirement age, 67 for men and 65 for women.
He also emphasised that he would raise the minimum wage to 12 euros "in the first year of my chancellorship".
The Social Democrats have gained more ground on Merkel's conservatives ahead of September's federal election, two opinion polls on Wednesday (August 11), but they would still need to team up with two other parties to be able to govern.
The latest Forsa poll for RTL television put support for the Social Democrats (SPD) at 19%, up 3 points since last week and the best result for the centre-left party since 2018.
Support for the conservatives slipped 3 points to 23%, the Greens were steady on 20% and the business-friendly Free Democrats (FDP) fell a point to 12%. Merkel, in power since 2005, plans to stand down after the election.
(Production: Andreas Kranz, Petra Wischgoll, Ulrike Heil) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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