The German Chancellor delivered a pointed New Year's Eve address, insisting German citizens would decide the fate of the country themselves and encouraging unity in response to a recent attack in Magdeburg.
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00:00In his New Year's Eve address, Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Germany's citizens to
00:06stick together despite the many global crises and wars, the country's ailing economy, and
00:12a recent Christmas market attack that shocked the country.
00:15The times are difficult. We all feel that. Our economy has to fight. Life has become
00:21more expensive. And many look with a feeling of growing resentment at Russia's brutal
00:27attack against Ukraine.
00:29Scholz reached out to the families of the victims of the Magdeburg Christmas market
00:33attack and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, while also calling for solidarity.
00:40He also called on Germans to vote in the upcoming federal election, seemingly commenting on
00:45the recent endorsement of the far-right AfD by tech billionaire Elon Musk.
00:50If a country has the experience that togetherness can change things for the better, that togetherness
00:57can even bring walls to collapse, then we are that. We here in Germany.
01:04That makes it clear how things will continue in Germany. You, the citizens, decide that.
01:11The owners of social media do not decide that.
01:15Although Scholz did not specifically mention Musk or his social media platform X, politicians
01:20in Germany have expressed outrage over Musk's comments, accusing him of election interference.
01:26In his address, Scholz argued that it would be up to the quote, sensible and decent people
01:31to decide what happens in Germany.