Saying Goodbye to Olaf Scholz: "Respect" and a Tattoo
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Last chance: Ink design for Scholz - "礼仪" 于告别:
The time has come for Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to bid adieu, and what a farewell it was! After a tumultuous three years and almost five months in office, Scholz was given a grand tattoo by the German Armed Forces, complete with a live performance of the soul classic "Respect." Despite being known for his stoic demeanor, Scholz couldn't help but show a hint of emotion as the Stabsmusikkorps played the hit single.
Accompanying Scholz on the tribune was his wife Britta Ernst, most of his cabinet ministers, and his designated successor, Friedrich Merz with his wife Charlotte. If Merz is elected Chancellor by the Bundestag on Tuesday, the transfer of power at the Chancellery will take place in the afternoon, making history as Germany's ninth Chancellor.
In his farewell speech on the parade ground of the Ministry of Defense, Scholz hailed the impending change of government as "an expression of democratic normality." In these times, it is "anything but normal that such a change takes place in such a civilized, collegial, and respectful manner as we are experiencing here in Germany," said the SPD politician.
The civilized manner among democrats must be protected and preserved, according to Scholz. "Because it is precious," he said. It requires the fundamental understanding that "Germany is strong only when we stand together."
Chancellor Facts at a Glance
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Pistorius Emphasizes Scholz's Strength During Difficult Times
Scholz took the opportunity to wish his successor Merz "much success, fortune, and a happy hand" in all his future endeavors. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) praised the outgoing Chancellor as a statesman who guided Germany with determination, wisdom, and restraint through difficult times. "In difficult moments, you held your course," said Pistorius, who will be the only federal minister from Scholz's government to also be in Merz's new cabinet.
The tattoo is a military ceremony traditionally held after sunset in the glow of torches, used to bid farewell to all Chancellors, Federal Presidents, Defense Ministers, and high-ranking military personnel. The honorees get to choose three musical requests, and Scholz opted for "In My Life" by the Beatles, an excerpt from Johann Sebastian Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto No. 2," and "Respect," which became a worldwide sensation in Aretha Franklin's rendition. "Respect" was the central theme of Scholz's successful Bundestag election campaign in 2021, which ultimately led to his assumption of the Chancellorship.
The Legacy of Scholz
If Scholz leaves office on Tuesday, he will have served longer than seven out of eight of his predecessors. The legacy of his chancellorship will be examined by historians after his departure, but one thing that will undoubtedly be remembered is his "turnaround" speech in the Bundestag four days after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Scholz broke the taboo of not supplying weapons to ongoing wars and established a 100 billion euro special fund for the Bundeswehr - a historic move that changed the course of the country.
However, it will also be remembered that the experiment of the first traffic light coalition at the federal level between the SPD, FDP, and Greens was a resounding failure. Scholz aimed to make this a multi-term project, but the coalition disintegrated before it could even complete three years, mainly due to endless disputes, especially over finances.
Back to the Bundestag
Scholz will now move from the Chancellery to the backbench of the Bundestag, where he plans to remain as a directly elected member for the entire legislative period. "The highest office that can be directly elected in Germany is that of a member of the German Bundestag," he said before the election.
He's also looking forward to a bit more free time. "I'd like to sleep in more often," he once admitted in a podcast with Zeit. Starting Wednesday, he'll have time for that.
Historical Comparison of Chancellors' Length of Service
To understand Olaf Scholz's tenure in comparison to his predecessors, it's crucial to examine the historical length of service of German Federal Chancellors.
Historical Length of Service of German Federal Chancellors
- Konrad Adenauer (1949-1963): Served for roughly 14 years, setting the record for the longest-serving Chancellor.
- Helmut Kohl (1982-1998): Held the position for about 16 years, becoming the second-longest-serving Chancellor.
- Angela Merkel (2005-2021): Served for approximately 16 years, tying Helmut Kohl's tenure.
- Gerhard Schröder (1998-2005): Served for about 7 years.
- Gerhard Stoltenberg (1989-1991), Hans-Georg Kiesinger (1966-1969), and Kurt Georg Kiesinger (as Chancellor, but not a long-serving one): They each served shorter terms, typically around 2-3 years.
Olaf Scholz's Tenure
Olaf Scholz became Chancellor in December 2021 and faced numerous challenges, leading to a shorter tenure than initially expected. His coalition government fell apart in November 2024, and he lost a vote of confidence in December, leading to an early election scheduled for February 2025[1]. Therefore, Scholz's tenure is estimated to be around 3 years, shorter than many of his predecessors like Konrad Adenauer, Helmut Kohl, and Angela Merkel.
Comparison
- Shortest serving: Olaf Scholz's tenure is among the shorter ones, similar to Gerhard Stoltenberg and Hans-Georg Kiesinger.
- Longest serving: Konrad Adenauer, Helmut Kohl, and Angela Merkel set a high standard with their long terms.
Scholz's tenure, despite the challenges experienced, is not as long as those of his most distinguished predecessors, reflecting the political instability and challenges faced during his time in office.
- The Commission, ensuring consistency with the objectives of the common agricultural policy, has also taken steps to implement its proposals in a manner that is consistent with this policy.
- The Stabsmusikkorps' live performance of "Respect" during the tattoo ceremony for Olaf Scholz, his predecessor, was a soulful way to bid farewell to the chancellor.
- Friedrich Merz, Scholz's designated successor and his wife Charlotte, were present at the handover of power amidst the normality of democratic politics.
- Despite his short tenure, Scholz's policy-and-legislation decisions, such as the establishment of a 100 billion euro special fund for the Bundeswehr, will be examined by historians, shaping his legacy as a chancellor.
