Scholz demands "respect" as he departs – but Merkel doesn't care

Thuringia 24 Scholz demands "respect" as he departs – but Merkel doesn't care Marcel Görmann • 7 hours • 2 minutes reading time It's his last major appearance as Chancellor: Olaf Scholz is given a dignified farewell with the Grand Tattoo, one day before Friedrich Merz's election. However, Angela Merkel and other former state figures are causing a disgrace for Scholz. In doing so, they are also indirectly undermining a musical request from the outgoing Chancellor, which was intended to make a statement. "All I ask is a little respect!" Somewhat surprising are the three songs that Scholz requested from the Bundeswehr Staff Band for his tattoo. The emotional Beatles song "In My Life" is included. Also included is an excerpt from Johann Sebastian Bach's "Second Brandenburg Concerto," apparently a reference to his hometown and constituency of Potsdam. And the soul hit "Respect," which became world famous in the version by Aretha Franklin. It reads, among other things, translated into German: "All I ask for is a little respect," "just a little bit." An allusion to his successful 2021 election campaign, when he campaigned with "Respect for you." But probably also a dig at the capital's press and the electorate. Scholz feels his achievements have been unfairly judged. But now comes the news that his predecessor, Angela Merkel, and former German presidents Christian Wulff and Joachim Gauck, of all people, are denying Scholz this respect. While Merkel appeared at the Protestant Church Congress in Hanover and will be in the Bundestag for Merz's election as chancellor on Tuesday, she will not appear at Scholz's tattoo ceremony. Gauck and Wulff are also staying away, reports the "Tagesspiegel." More news for you: A setback for Scholz. The absence of political heavyweights like Merkel and Gauck will be noticeable.