Germany's Scholz urges citizens to vote in NYE address

31/12/2024 7:21

Chancellor Olaf Scholz appealed to his fellow Germans to vote in snap elections in February as the country argues over immigration and the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), according to a New Year's speech seen in advance.



"I appeal to you today: Please go vote! By looking around in the world, you will know what a great accomplishment free and fair elections are," Scholz said in the address, which is set to air at 1910 GMT.



Germans will head to the polls in a parliamentary election on Feb. 23 after a fractious Scholz-led coalition government comprising his Social Democrats, the Greens and the pro-business FDP ended in collapse.



In the address, Scholz also alluded to a recent stand-off with U.S. billionaire Elon Musk, who has endorsed the AfD and called for Scholz to resign in the wake of a deadly attack in Magdeburg.



The future of Germany "will not be decided by the owners of social media channels," Scholz said in the address.