Germany wants to use its presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) to develop it into a club that is pioneering in its efforts to achieve green growth and a socially just world, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in his first New Year’s address.
“Starting tomorrow, Germany will for one year take over the presidency of the group of seven economically strong, democratic states – the G7,” Scholz said in his speech on Friday, according to a pre-released transcript from the government’s press office.
“We will use our presidency so that this group of states becomes a pioneer – a pioneer for a climate-neutral way of doing business and a fair world,” Scholz said.
In his previous roles as vice chancellor and finance minister, Scholz suggested that the European Union should team up with countries like the United States, Canada and Japan to create a “climate club” in which members agree joint rules and common standards on how to reduce carbon emissions.
The goal of such a club would be not only to accelerate the global shift towards a more climate-friendly economy, but also to avoid trade friction linked to different green tariff regimes, such as the EU’s planned carbon border levy.
“International cooperation is important. In a world that will soon be home to 10 billion people, our voices will only be heard if we perform in a choir with many others,” Scholz said.
That is also the reason why Germany’s new coalition government is determined to strengthen the European Union, said Scholz, who succeeded long-serving former Chancellor Angela Merkel earlier this month.
“Our goal is a sovereign, strong Europe. A Europe that lives according to its common values of peace, the rule of law and democracy,” the chancellor added.
On the issue of Ukraine, where Western countries are concerned by a Russian military build-up near the border, Scholz reiterated that the territorial integrity of Ukraine must be respected. Germany would continue to work closely with transatlantic allies to guarantee peace, he said.
“With a view on Ukraine, we are currently facing new challenges. The inviolability of borders is a high good – and not negotiable,” Scholz said.
Russia denies planning to attack Ukraine and says it has the right to move its troops on its own soil as it likes.
(Reporting by Michael Nienaber; Editing by Frances Kerry)
TORONTO – Ontario is pushing through several bills with little or no debate, which the government house leader says is due to a short legislative sitting.
The government has significantly reduced debate and committee time on the proposed law that would force municipalities to seek permission to install bike lanes when they would remove a car lane.
It also passed the fall economic statement that contains legislation to send out $200 cheques to taxpayers with reduced debating time.
The province tabled a bill Wednesday afternoon that would extend the per-vote subsidy program, which funnels money to political parties, until 2027.
That bill passed third reading Thursday morning with no debate and is awaiting royal assent.
Government House Leader Steve Clark did not answer a question about whether the province is speeding up passage of the bills in order to have an election in the spring, which Premier Doug Ford has not ruled out.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.
