Grand tattoo for Scholz
Last night, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz was honoured with a grand tattoo. Many of his colleagues attended the event to bid him farewell.
Berlin (dpa) – After three years and just under five months in office, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) was bid farewell by the Federal Armed Forces with a grand tattoo event. As per his request, the armed forces orchestra played the classic soul song “Respect” as a send-off.
The event was attended not only by his wife Britta Ernst and most of his Cabinet's ministers but also by his designated successor Friedrich Merz and his wife Charlotte.
In his farewell speech delivered on the parade grounds outside the Ministry of Defence, Scholz expressed his appreciation of the upcoming change in government as a “sign of democratic normality”.
Scholz said that civilised interaction among democrats had to be protected and maintained “because it is something precious”. He added that the fundamental notion was key that “Germany is strong if – and only if – we can keep it in one piece”.
Scholz wished his designated successor “plenty of success, fortune and a lucky hand” for all of his duties and challenges.
The grand tattoo is a military ceremony that is held in torchlight after sunset, and is the traditional send-off for all Federal Chancellors, Federal Presidents, Ministers of Defence and high-ranking members of the military.
Having completed his term as Federal Chancellor, Scholz will be a backbench member of the Bundestag for the next legislative period, being the directly elected representative of his constituency Potsdam.