German Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) expressed optimism about an upcoming meeting between US President-elect Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the need to support Ukraine. “We must continue to support Ukraine and ‘stop the killing at the same time'” he said in an ARD news program.
Scholz emphasized the need to find a path out of the conflict, which he described as “no dictate peace.” He revealed that he had spoken with Putin and would do so again, explaining that a “time for real talks will come.” In this context, he viewed the planned meeting between Trump and Putin as a positive development.
The SPD’s top candidate also promoted his proposed “Made in Germany” bonus, describing it as an “unbureaucratic regulation that does not promote individual investments, but all capital investments.” He claimed this would boost growth and be affordable.
Regarding the rising social contributions, the SPD politician stated, “I am against cuts in retirement, health, and care. We need more solidarity, and above all, a stable pension level.”
He believed that the right financing would involve “making it a bit fairer” with the top 1% of earners paying a bit more, while the 95% of workers and self-employed individuals would be relieved. Scholz emphasized the need to put ordinary people at the center of politics, warning that “it won’t work out otherwise.