Overview

• Olaf Scholz is set to conclude his tenure as Chancellor next week, with Friedrich Merz poised to take over following a Bundestag vote on Tuesday.
• Speaking at the Kirchentag in Hannover, Scholz expressed confidence in his record, stating he 'überwiegend das Richtige getan' and highlighting achievements like modernizing citizenship laws.
• He reaffirmed Germany’s financial and military commitment to Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of sustained support during his final public appearances.
• Scholz cautioned against rushing a ban on the AfD, advocating for a measured legal process and broader political debate to address extremism effectively.
• Despite his party’s historic electoral defeat, Scholz has maintained a composed approach, actively facilitating the coalition transition and supporting Merz's leadership.