‘Germany is an immigration country’: Scholz sets out future vision
Chancellor Olaf Scholz set out his vision for Germany under the coalition government, underlining the need for transformation when it comes to the climate, modernisation, immigration and integration.
Scholz held the floor in the Bundestag on Wednesday in a two-hour speech in which he set out the new government’s plans for the coming four years.
The lengthy speech – which is a traditional fixture for incoming German governments – was his first address since he became the ninth chancellor of Germany last week, taking over from Angela Merkel who was in office for 16 years.
Touching on overarching themes of respect, solidarity and support for everyone in the country, Scholz showed his Social Democratic colours throughout.
But he also hammered the home the fact that things were going to change in the coming years. He talked about a transformation in the way businesses and people go about their lives as the country aims to do as much as possible to protect the climate.
Scholz also called for solidarity and for people to get vaccinated to combat the Covid pandemic.
READ ALSO: Germany will ‘defend itself against anti-vaxxers’, says Scholz
Here’s a look at some of the points Scholz touched on in his wide-ranging speech.
Immigration and citizenship
As The Local has been reporting, the new German coalition government is planning an overhaul of the immigration system and citizenship processes.
We’ve been looking at this theme in detail because it affects to so many of our readers – most of whom are foreigners in Germany themselves.
“Germany is an immigration country,” said Scholz as he addressed the Bundestag. “It’s high time we understand ourselves. Therefore it’s high time we make it easier to become a German citizen.”
“It is only on this basis that we can make full integration and political participation possible.”
(article continues below)
See also on The Local:
Scholz said the new German government plans to make citizenship possible after five years in Germany – reducing it from the current eight years.
The coalition plans also state that this could be reduced to three years in the case of special integration achievements.
There are also plans to relax the current strict rules on holding more than one citizenship. This would be beneficial for non-EU nationals who – on the whole – are not granted more than one passport if they apply to be naturalised in Germany.
“We’re going to make multiple citizenship possible, which is in keeping with many people in this country,” said Scholz, adding that it will allow people to hold the citizenship of their country of origin as well as German citizenship.
READ ALSO:
What Germany’s new government means for citizenship and naturalisation
Five challenges facing Germany’s new government
Chancellor Olaf Scholz greets Bundestag members including Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock after his speech
Chancellor Olaf Scholz greets Bundestag members including Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock after his speech on Wednesday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Kay Nietfeld
Scholz said the coalition planned to enact a new immigration law. The coalition has said there are plans to introduce a points-based system of immigration to attract more skilled workers.
The new government also wants to streamline processes.
“It will be easier for immigrants to find jobs in Germany,” said Scholz in the Bundestag. “Educational qualifications from people coming from abroad should be recognised more easily.”
Climate, modernisation and business
In the fight to slow down climate change, Scholz told people in Germany that there would be far-reaching changes.
The phase-out of fossil fuels must be accelerated, he said. By 2030, 80 percent of electricity demand is to come from renewable sources. “This means that the biggest transformation of our industry and economy in at least 100 years lies ahead of us,” said the Chancellor.
“The prosperity of our country depends on our ability to build the infrastructures for the climate-neutral age.”
In general, he said, the coming years would be about modernising and investing in many areas – from charging stations and wind farms, to digitalisation and administration.
There is no point in “saving against the crisis”, said Scholz underlining the need to invest in the changes the country needs.
READ ALSO: German cabinet agrees €60 billion climate investment plan
He talked of a “new era” in Germany’s digital path.
“Germany has to come back to the top of the league in terms of digital infrastructure,” said Scholz. “And for that reason we will invest in future technologies.”
On the subject of financing, Scholz said that spending would be put to the test and there would be a crack down on tax evasion.
Scholz, however, did attribute a big role to the economy and promised “super write-offs” in 2022 and 2023 for investments in climate protection and digitalisation.
Innovative companies are also to receive further tax benefits, and the development bank KfW is to play an even stronger role, Scholz said – perhaps an influence from his coalition teammates, the business-friendly Free Democrats.
Scholz said the government hopes to make Germany the leading European location for startups.
Equality, respect and wages
Scholz underlined the need for equality in society, touching on class and gender differences.
He said the minimum wage hike would be an important step for this.
A worker in a restaurant in Oldenburg, Lower Saxony.
Step 1/ get people who can speak more than just German in your ausländerbehörde
With the USA in crisis and housing costs out of control in Canada, Germany now provides some hope that it’s possible to enjoy European workers and economic rights without 1000 years of European heritage and ancestry. I’d encourage college educated Americans to begin learning German if they want to live with good healthcare, no guns, no violent racism, and peaceful cops.
Making citizenship through marriage easier would be nice. 🤷♂️
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‘Germany is an immigration country’: Scholz sets out future vision
Chancellor Olaf Scholz set out his vision for Germany under the coalition government, underlining the need for transformation when it comes to the climate, modernisation, immigration and integration.
Scholz held the floor in the Bundestag on Wednesday in a two-hour speech in which he set out the new government’s plans for the coming four years.
The lengthy speech – which is a traditional fixture for incoming German governments – was his first address since he became the ninth chancellor of Germany last week, taking over from Angela Merkel who was in office for 16 years.
Touching on overarching themes of respect, solidarity and support for everyone in the country, Scholz showed his Social Democratic colours throughout.
But he also hammered the home the fact that things were going to change in the coming years. He talked about a transformation in the way businesses and people go about their lives as the country aims to do as much as possible to protect the climate.
Scholz also called for solidarity and for people to get vaccinated to combat the Covid pandemic.
READ ALSO: Germany will ‘defend itself against anti-vaxxers’, says Scholz
Here’s a look at some of the points Scholz touched on in his wide-ranging speech.
Immigration and citizenship
As The Local has been reporting, the new German coalition government is planning an overhaul of the immigration system and citizenship processes.
We’ve been looking at this theme in detail because it affects to so many of our readers – most of whom are foreigners in Germany themselves.
“Germany is an immigration country,” said Scholz as he addressed the Bundestag. “It’s high time we understand ourselves. Therefore it’s high time we make it easier to become a German citizen.”
“It is only on this basis that we can make full integration and political participation possible.”
(article continues below)
See also on The Local:
Scholz said the new German government plans to make citizenship possible after five years in Germany – reducing it from the current eight years.
The coalition plans also state that this could be reduced to three years in the case of special integration achievements.
There are also plans to relax the current strict rules on holding more than one citizenship. This would be beneficial for non-EU nationals who – on the whole – are not granted more than one passport if they apply to be naturalised in Germany.
“We’re going to make multiple citizenship possible, which is in keeping with many people in this country,” said Scholz, adding that it will allow people to hold the citizenship of their country of origin as well as German citizenship.
READ ALSO:
What Germany’s new government means for citizenship and naturalisation
Five challenges facing Germany’s new government
Chancellor Olaf Scholz greets Bundestag members including Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock after his speech
Chancellor Olaf Scholz greets Bundestag members including Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock after his speech on Wednesday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Kay Nietfeld
Scholz said the coalition planned to enact a new immigration law. The coalition has said there are plans to introduce a points-based system of immigration to attract more skilled workers.
The new government also wants to streamline processes.
“It will be easier for immigrants to find jobs in Germany,” said Scholz in the Bundestag. “Educational qualifications from people coming from abroad should be recognised more easily.”
Climate, modernisation and business
In the fight to slow down climate change, Scholz told people in Germany that there would be far-reaching changes.
The phase-out of fossil fuels must be accelerated, he said. By 2030, 80 percent of electricity demand is to come from renewable sources. “This means that the biggest transformation of our industry and economy in at least 100 years lies ahead of us,” said the Chancellor.
“The prosperity of our country depends on our ability to build the infrastructures for the climate-neutral age.”
In general, he said, the coming years would be about modernising and investing in many areas – from charging stations and wind farms, to digitalisation and administration.
There is no point in “saving against the crisis”, said Scholz underlining the need to invest in the changes the country needs.
READ ALSO: German cabinet agrees €60 billion climate investment plan
He talked of a “new era” in Germany’s digital path.
“Germany has to come back to the top of the league in terms of digital infrastructure,” said Scholz. “And for that reason we will invest in future technologies.”
On the subject of financing, Scholz said that spending would be put to the test and there would be a crack down on tax evasion.
Scholz, however, did attribute a big role to the economy and promised “super write-offs” in 2022 and 2023 for investments in climate protection and digitalisation.
Innovative companies are also to receive further tax benefits, and the development bank KfW is to play an even stronger role, Scholz said – perhaps an influence from his coalition teammates, the business-friendly Free Democrats.
Scholz said the government hopes to make Germany the leading European location for startups.
Equality, respect and wages
Scholz underlined the need for equality in society, touching on class and gender differences.
He said the minimum wage hike would be an important step for this.
A worker in a restaurant in Oldenburg, Lower Saxony.
Step 1/ get people who can speak more than just German in your ausländerbehörde
With the USA in crisis and housing costs out of control in Canada, Germany now provides some hope that it’s possible to enjoy European workers and economic rights without 1000 years of European heritage and ancestry. I’d encourage college educated Americans to begin learning German if they want to live with good healthcare, no guns, no violent racism, and peaceful cops.
Making citizenship through marriage easier would be nice. 🤷♂️