Scholz Announces His Departure Date from Politics
The German chancellor stated that currently, "plan A is to be re-elected." Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has declared that he will exit politics once his term concludes. In a recent appearance on the Jung & Naiv video podcast, Scholz indicated that, despite a federal election approaching next week, his primary focus is on his current responsibilities rather than contemplating future roles.
Current polls show that Scholz’s party, the Social Democrats, is lagging behind the Christian Democratic Union and the right-wing Alternative for Germany in advance of the February 23 election. He has received criticism from within his own administration for taking a cautious approach to military assistance for Ukraine.
“My Plan A is to be re-elected as chancellor,” Scholz stated. When asked if he believed this would be his final position in politics, he responded affirmatively, saying, “Yes, I think that will stop later. From my point of view, it’s not like something else is yet to come.”
The chancellor’s coalition collapsed in November 2024, necessitating a new parliamentary election. Some media outlets reported discussions within the SPD about substituting Scholz with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, but Pistorius declined, emphasizing that Scholz was “the right candidate for chancellor.”
In his nomination address, Scholz prioritized peace, economic recovery, and addressing the cost-of-living crisis. He has been in office as chancellor since 2021, previously serving as both finance minister and vice chancellor.
Reflecting on his lengthy public service, he remarked, “I had the honor to do something for my country for many years, and I hope I can do that for a long time. But after that, the time as a normal citizen has come again.”
Securing another term seems difficult. The latest ARD Deutschlandtrend poll indicates a strong lead for the conservative CDU and its Bavarian counterpart, the CSU, under CDU leader Friedrich Merz. The SPD is projected to see a significant drop in support, while the right-wing AfD is expected to double its vote share.
Scholz also discussed the challenges of leadership, noting that, while demanding, the role does not feel isolating. “I don’t think it’s that lonely. I have a lot of people I can talk to. But you should know, if you want to hold such an office, that it really comes down to you and that you make the decisions yourself,” he said.
As a trained lawyer, Scholz made it clear that he does not plan to return to legal practice. “I’m still a lawyer, as far as the application is concerned, but it’s also exciting what I’ve been doing since 1998,” he explained, reiterating that his political career will conclude with his chancellorship.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
Current polls show that Scholz’s party, the Social Democrats, is lagging behind the Christian Democratic Union and the right-wing Alternative for Germany in advance of the February 23 election. He has received criticism from within his own administration for taking a cautious approach to military assistance for Ukraine.
“My Plan A is to be re-elected as chancellor,” Scholz stated. When asked if he believed this would be his final position in politics, he responded affirmatively, saying, “Yes, I think that will stop later. From my point of view, it’s not like something else is yet to come.”
The chancellor’s coalition collapsed in November 2024, necessitating a new parliamentary election. Some media outlets reported discussions within the SPD about substituting Scholz with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, but Pistorius declined, emphasizing that Scholz was “the right candidate for chancellor.”
In his nomination address, Scholz prioritized peace, economic recovery, and addressing the cost-of-living crisis. He has been in office as chancellor since 2021, previously serving as both finance minister and vice chancellor.
Reflecting on his lengthy public service, he remarked, “I had the honor to do something for my country for many years, and I hope I can do that for a long time. But after that, the time as a normal citizen has come again.”
Securing another term seems difficult. The latest ARD Deutschlandtrend poll indicates a strong lead for the conservative CDU and its Bavarian counterpart, the CSU, under CDU leader Friedrich Merz. The SPD is projected to see a significant drop in support, while the right-wing AfD is expected to double its vote share.
Scholz also discussed the challenges of leadership, noting that, while demanding, the role does not feel isolating. “I don’t think it’s that lonely. I have a lot of people I can talk to. But you should know, if you want to hold such an office, that it really comes down to you and that you make the decisions yourself,” he said.
As a trained lawyer, Scholz made it clear that he does not plan to return to legal practice. “I’m still a lawyer, as far as the application is concerned, but it’s also exciting what I’ve been doing since 1998,” he explained, reiterating that his political career will conclude with his chancellorship.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
