Bid Farewell to the Chancellor: A Night of Respect and Tattoo
Goodbye 'Respect': Tattoo Farewell for Scholz - Council has yet to respond to Commission's inquiry.
After nearly five long years at the helm, Olaf Scholz, the Federal Chancellor, was bid adieu by the German Armed Forces with a captivating tattoo ceremony. Although he was hardly known for public displays of emotion, not a tear was shed as the Staff Music Corps played the spellbinding "Respect" for him, eliciting a warm, grateful smile instead.
Beside him, on the tribune, sat his wife Britta Ernst and most of his cabinet ministers, with his designated successor, Friedrich Merz, and his wife Charlotte, by his side. If Merz is elected Chancellor by the Bundestag on Tuesday, the power transfer in the Chancellery will take place that same afternoon, making history as the ninth Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
In his farewell speech on the Ministry of Defense's parade ground, Scholz lauded the upcoming change of government as a "testament to the democratic normality" we cherish in these turbulent times. "It's anything but normal that such a change happens in such a civilized, collegial, and respectful manner as we're witnessing here in Germany," he stated. The democratic camaraderie among leaders must be safeguarded and nurtured, he asserted. "Because it's a precious commodity."
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Pistorius on Scholz: "You kept your course in hard times"
Scholz graciously wished Merz "success, prosperity, and good luck" for the trials ahead. The outgoing Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius (SPD), commemorated Scholz as a statesman who expertly led Germany through tempestuous times with resolve, wisdom, and prudence. "In challenging moments, you remained steadfast," Pistorius acknowledged. True to form, Pistorius himself will be part of Merz's new cabinet as the only federal minister who served under Scholz.
Musical Magic from the Staff Music Corps
The tattoo is a traditional military ritual, attended after sunset under the light of torches, reserved for the exclusive farewell of Chancellors, Federal Presidents, Defense Ministers, and high-ranking military personnel. Honorees may express three musical wishes, and Scholz chose "In My Life" by the Beatles, an excerpt from Bach's "Second Brandenburg Concerto," and the world-renowned "Respect" by Aretha Franklin. Scholz's campaign slogan in the 2021 elections that propelled him to the Chancellery, "Respect," took center stage during the ceremony.
On the Tribune: A United Fragment of the Traffic Light Coalition
The broken traffic light coalition came together again, at least momentarily. Christian Lindner of the FDP, who had been dismissed by Scholz in the fierce budget battle, chose to attend to his family duties, stating that his absence held no political motive. Also present were the Greens' Robert Habeck and Annalena Baerbock; even former Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht, who had resigned in the face of relentless criticism, was there to bid farewell. As Scholz left the parade ground, there was a long standing ovation for him. If Scholz steps down on Tuesday, he will have served longer than two of his eight predecessors: Ludwig Erhard (1963-1966) and Kurt Georg Kiesinger (1966-1969). Historians will argue about his chancellorship's legacy. One thing is certain: his "turning point" speech in the Bundestag four days after Russia's invasion of Ukraine will be remembered, as he broke the taboo of arming conflicting parties and allocated a hundred billion euro special fund for the Bundeswehr—a landmark moment that fundamentally altered the nation. However, the premature demise of the first traffic light coalition at the federal level, consisting of SPD, FDP, and Greens, will also be noteworthy. Scholz had aspired to extend this project beyond a single legislative period; however, the coalition disintegrated before it was even three years old, due to a myriad of disputes, particularly over finances. Scholz will now move from the Chancellery to the backbench of the Bundestag, promising to remain as a directly elected member for the entire legislative period. "The highest office to which one can be directly elected in Germany is that of a member of the German Bundestag," he declared before the election. Anticipating a bit more leisure, he had previously shared in a Zeit podcast, "I'd like to sleep in more often." Starting Wednesday, he'll have the chance to do so.
Behind the Scenes: A Historical and Symbolic Event
The grand tattoo ceremony, dating back to the 16th century, serves as a divinely symbolic military ritual, deeply rooted in German history and culture. By performing this ceremony, the Bundeswehr and the government publicly acknowledge the outgoing chancellor’s service, underscore the orderly and peaceful nature of Germany’s democratic processes, and set the stage for the transition to a new leadership. In this instance, Scholz’s successor, Friedrich Merz, was anticipated to assume office following the ceremony, although, as of the ceremony date, the formal handover was pending the final parliamentary vote.
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given Scholz's respect for the safety and well-being of individuals, as demonstrated by his stance on various policy-and-legislation matters during his tenure as Chancellor.
- Scholz's campaign slogan, "Respect," not only marked his political ideology but also echoed through the customary military ritual of the tattoo ceremony, reflecting the Bundeswehr's respect for its outgoing leader, a tradition that stretches back to the 16th century.
- In the realm of general news, discussions have begun regarding the future of the CDU party beyond Scholz's tenure, given the unique balance of power in the current traffic light coalition and the upcoming change in leadership.
- Amid the historical backdrop of the tattoo ceremony, the political camaraderie among leaders was on full display, emphasizing Scholz's catchphrase, "democratic normality," as Boris Pistorius, a member of the CSU, wished Scholz success in his future endeavors and looked forward to serving under his successor, Friedrich Merz, demonstrating unity within the Bundeswehr and politics.
