German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, who found himself at the center of the scandal around the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, officially announced his intention to run for the Chancellor’s post. His words are quoted by the German edition of Frankenpost.
“We want to lead the next government. I want to become the Chancellor of Germany,” said Scholz, who also serves as Vice Chancellor. The politician promised that the Social Democratic Party, of which he is a member, will take care of the future of Germany.
Earlier it was reported that Scholz offered the 45th US President Donald Trump’s administration assistance in importing American liquefied gas in exchange for lifting sanctions on the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. According to media reports, the German government was ready to provide the United States with financial support of up to one billion euros.
The next parliamentary elections will be held in Germany in September 2021. Back in 2018, the current head of state, Angela Merkel, announced that her current term in office would be her last. She also did not run for the presidency of the ruling party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). In January 2021, the CDU was headed by the Prime Minister of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia Armin Laschet. However, it is not yet known exactly whether the politician will run for the presidency.
Merkel was elected Federal Chancellor of Germany on November 22, 2005, becoming the first woman in this position.