German Chancellor Scholz Denounces Trump's Gaza Proposal as 'Scandalous'

Synopsis

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has publicly denounced US President Donald Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, labeling it as scandalous. The remarks were made during a recent televised debate and highlight the ongoing tensions regarding international policy in the region.

Key Takeaways

Olaf Scholz criticized Trump's Gaza plan as scandalous.
The CDU's Friedrich Merz also expressed concerns.
Scholz advocates for clear communication with the US.
EU readiness to respond to potential US tariffs.
Upcoming elections are crucial for Scholz's SPD.

Berlin, Feb 10 (NationPress) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has condemned US President Donald Trump's initiative to move Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, deeming it "scandalous".

Scholz, alongside Friedrich Merz, the leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), participated in the inaugural televised debate on Sunday evening in anticipation of the upcoming Bundestag elections scheduled for February 23.

A significant point of discussion was the manner in which Germany ought to interact with the United States under Trump's presidency. In addressing the Middle East conflict, Scholz reiterated his stance against Trump's Gaza initiative, as reported by Xinhua.

During a campaign gathering on Friday, Scholz expressed his discontent, asserting, "We must not relocate the population of Gaza to Egypt," and voiced his "total rejection" of the proposal.

In the debate on Sunday, Scholz outlined his approach to dealing with Trump as one of "clear communication and amicable discussions." Merz, while also raising apprehensions regarding Trump's suggestion, characterized it as "part of a series of troubling proposals from the American Administration." Nonetheless, he recommended that Germany should observe which plans the US government intends to implement "seriously."

Regarding potential US tariffs, Scholz confirmed that the European Union stands ready to "act within an hour" if required.

Merz further highlighted the necessity of European unity, advocating for collaboration with Britain despite Brexit, and called for "a unified European strategy" to address challenges.

The debate also touched on critical domestic matters such as the economy, immigration, and the repercussions of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The forthcoming snap elections are anticipated to serve as a pivotal evaluation for Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD), which currently holds a polling rate of 16 percent. The conservative CDU and its Bavarian counterpart, the Christian Social Union (CSU), continue to lead the polls with a steady support of around 30 percent.