German Chancellor Scholz takes heat for being 'invisible' in Ukraine row
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Loading... - Rogers Griffiths
- 04 Feb 2022
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Two months into the job, the honeymoon is already over for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, with critics accusing him of being "invisible" on the Ukraine crisis and the coronavirus pandemic.
The hashtag #woistscholz ("Where is Scholz?") is doing the rounds on Twitter, and some say the famously taciturn politician needs to start speaking up.
Scholz was sworn in as chancellor on Dec. 8 after leading his Social Democrats (SPD) to a sensational election win, ending 16 years in power for Angela Merkel's conservatives.
But a Forsa survey this week showed the SPD behind Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) in the polls for the first time since the election – on 23% compared with 27% for the conservative bloc, which is now the main opposition party.
Scholz himself, feted for winning the Sept. 26 election with a campaign that played on his calm demeanor and meticulous approach, is also seeing his popularity wane.
In a recent survey by public broadcaster ZDF on Germany's most popular politicians, Scholz found himself lagging behind Merkel – who has retired from politics – and Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.
'Scholzomat'
Scholz, who will fly to Washington to meet American President Joe Biden on Monday, has long been known for his understated style.
He was once dubbed "Scholzomat" for his dry, robotic speeches.
Merkel was hardly known for her media presence or rousing speeches, but Scholz "seems to want to surpass her in the art of disappearance," according to Der Spiegel weekly, which accused him of being "almost invisible, inaudible."
"The way the chancellor speaks and communicates seems inappropriate," political scientist Ursula Muench told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
"He is heard and seen very little, and when he does speak, he often does so in riddles and not in a clear and pointed manner as required by the current media world," she said. Read More…
