About: Olaf Scholz
SPD enters election campaign focusing on the future, climate issues
Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) want to be seen as the party of the future. That is the core message of the resolution following last weekend's party retreat. But the SPD's proverbial red thread - on social issues - is missing. EURACTIV Germany reports.
OECD criticises German frugality, urges it to ‘clear the investment backlog’
Germany needs to invest more in infrastructure, digital policy, climate protection after years of government frugality, a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recommends. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Eurozone agrees to reform eurozone bailout fund
European finance ministers agreed on Monday (30 November) to crucial reforms of the eurozone's bailout fund, which had been put aside for a year amid reluctance from Italy and the coronavirus crisis.
Bundestag’s investigative committee starts work on Wirecard scandal
The Bundestag's committee looking into the Wirecard case, Germany's biggest financial scandal in years, started work on Thursday (8 October). It could be particularly unpleasant for Finance Minister and SPD chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Financial scandals harm Scholz’s image as he gears up for chancellor candidacy
Olaf Scholz, Germany's finance minister and chancellor candidate for the Social Democrats (SPD), is currently in the spotlight for his involvement in two financial scandals currently shaking German politics: the Wirecard and Cum-Ex scandals. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German Social Democrats gear up for a climate election campaign
Finance Minister Olaf Scholz will lead the German Social Democrats (SPD) into the campaign for federal elections in 2021. Not an easy task for a party that faces strong competition from the Greens for number two position, behind the CDU/CSU conservatives. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany’s Scholz sees ‘no way back’ from EU joint debt
German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said Sunday (23 August) that the European Union's recovery package financed by joint borrowing was a long-term measure rather than a short-term coronavirus crisis fix, contradicting Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Wirecard scandal: Bundestag inquiry committee increasingly likely
A probe into the Wirecard affair is picking up speed. At a special session of the Bundestag Finance Committee, MPs have questioned top ministers and lobbyist influence over the government is becoming increasingly clear. Setting up a special inquiry committee is becoming more likely as a result. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Wirecard scandal: Why the German government should be nervous
Have leading politicians in the grand coalition up to the Chancellor been involved in a fraudulent scheme? The Bundestag's finance committee is looking into it.
Scholz and Le Maire present a united front on digital and corporate taxation
Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and his French counterpart Bruno Le Maire (LREM) are confident that the current OECD negotiations on international tax systems will be concluded by the end of 2020. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German finance minister defends borrowing for economic stimulus package
For once, Germany is not shying away from debt to overcome a crisis. With the second supplementary budget, the state's additional borrowing due to the coronavirus is raised to a total of €218.5 billion. But criticism is coming from the German Taxpayers' Federation. EURACTIV Germany reports.
With almost €100 billion in tax losses, Scholz announces another stimulus package
For the German budget, the pandemic means greater expenditures and less income. For the first time since the financial crisis, tax revenues are falling but Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) is not thinking about austerity. On the contrary, another economic stimulus package is planned in June to help boost the economy, EURACTIV Germany reports.
German parliament suspends debt brake to fight coronavirus outbreak
The German lower house on Wednesday (25 March) suspended the country's constitutionally enshrined debt brake, approving a massive stimulus package by Chancellor Angela Merkel's government to weather the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.
Germany set to foot massive but ‘necessary’ coronavirus bill
Coronavirus will cost Germany several hundred billion euros, according to new figures from research centre the ifo institute released on Monday (23 March). Production losses and unemployment will hurt, so Berlin will have to dig deep into its pockets. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Eurozone ministers discuss fiscal boost options as coronavirus worries weigh
Euro zone finance ministers discussed ways to pursue a more growth-friendly fiscal policy mix on Monday (17 February), in a potential nudge to Germany and the Netherlands to spend more as fears of a downturn grow in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic.
Merkel’s future in balance as SPD picks new leaders
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's political future hangs in the balance as her floundering coalition partners, the SPD, elect new leaders on Saturday.
German plan brings ‘new impetus’ to banking union, Eurogroup says
Finance ministers on Thursday (7 November) welcomed a German initiative to unblock proposals for a common bank deposit guarantee scheme in the eurozone, but questioned Berlin's request to ask additional capital buffers in return for banks holding sovereign debt.
Scholz’s proposal to complete EU banking union greeted with cautious optimism
European decision makers welcomed on Wednesday (6 November) German finance minister Olaf Scholz’s attempt to unlock the European Deposit Insurance Scheme (EDIS) proposal, but warned of the long process still ahead to reach an agreement.
Amid Brexit and trade wars, European industry faces economic gloom
The eurozone's manufacturing sector contracted for the ninth consecutive month in October, based on the latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) calculated by the Markit firm. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.
France and Germany show unity in response to US-China trade war
Paris and Berlin are sticking together in the face of the American trade threat. Both countries want to do everything possible to avoid the introduction of new customs duties between Europe and the US. EURACTIV France reports.
Germany ‘very sceptical’ about US mission for Strait of Hormuz
Germany's Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday (31 July) he was very sceptical about a request by the United States to join a military mission for the Strait of Hormuz.
Spain obstructs agreement on ‘Tobin tax’
Revenue sharing among member states appears as the main outstanding issue to reach an agreement on the financial transaction tax (FTT), as Spain is still opposing the mutualisation of the resources, European officials told EURACTIV.
German coalition divided over carbon pricing
Should Germany put a price on carbon emissions from transport, buildings or agriculture, which are currently not covered by the EU emissions trading scheme? The question is dividing members of the ruling coalition. EURACTIV Germany reports.