German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz is to address the European Parliament on Tuesday in Strasbourg, France.
The chancellor is expected to share his views on the current situation and the future of the European Union, at a time when the bloc is trying to re-orientate itself globally.
The economic fallout of Russia’s war on Ukraine highlighted the EU’s vulnerability due to its dependence on energy imports from Moscow.
Together with the pressure to remain competitive it triggered a debate on the EU’s relations with China.
Last August, Scholz gave a speech on EU-internal matters, touching on topics like admitting new members, asylum policies and defense cooperation.
Terry Reintke, a German EU lawmaker from Scholz’ coalition partner the Greens, said that in recent months “not everything has gone well’’ between Berlin and Brussels.
The German government questioning an agreement to phase out vehicles with internal combustion engines at the last minute eroded trust, she said.
EU lawmakers from eastern and central European countries were left disappointed by “what Olaf Scholz then really achieved with regard to Ukraine,’’ Reintke added.
Scholz’ address is to be followed by a debate with members of the European Parliament.
The speech comes at a symbolic date, as the EU celebrates on May 9 the lasting peace between its members that followed the end of World War II in 1945.
