China News Agency, Berlin, December 4 (Reporter Peng Dawei) German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is about to officially step down, delivered the last weekly video speech during her term as Chancellor on the 4th.

On October 26, local time, German President Steinmeier officially handed over the notice of the end of his term to Merkel, who has served as Chancellor of Germany for 16 years, at the government's retirement ceremony.

　　"Direct Chancellor Merkel" is a video podcast on the official website of the German Chancellery. Merkel is usually featured on Saturdays to introduce the country's latest policies to the German public and respond to social concerns.

　　As the successor Schultz will be sworn in on December 8, Merkel said at the beginning of the program on the 4th that this is the last time she has communicated with fellow citizens in this way.

　　She said that it has been more than fifteen years since the first podcast. At that time, it was quite unusual for a head of government to communicate with the public so directly on the Internet.

　　"When someone calculated that more than 600 episodes of the show had been broadcast, I couldn't believe it." Merkel said that she can still clearly remember that the first episode of the show was in June 2006, when the World Cup was hosted by Germany. Upcoming.

She said that her wish at the time was that the World Cup could be a grand festival both inside and outside the stadium. "That'Summer Fairy Tale' made my dream come true."

　　More than 600 podcasts cover several major issues of German federal government policy, from sustainable development, culture, security to digitalization, equal rights, combating anti-Semitism, to agriculture and energy transition.

Merkel said that what these topics have in common is that they are all about "how we cultivate and maintain the things that unite people in Germany."

　　In different periods of her career as a prime minister, Merkel also tried different forms of podcasting.

For example, she has invited representatives from different fields to directly ask her questions on hot issues in the industry.

As a German Chancellor who values ​​relations with China, she also invited a Chinese student studying in Germany on this program in 2016 to directly ask her personal questions about the relations between the two countries.

　　Since the new crown epidemic in Germany is still very severe, Merkel's last podcast has to leave most of the space for the epidemic.

　　"Please take this cunning virus seriously." Merkel said that the fourth wave of the epidemic in Germany is at a very severe stage. The epidemic situation in many regions can only be described as "dramatic." The many lives are frightening."

　　"Please get vaccinated." Merkel once again called on people to get vaccinated?

——No matter which injection is needed.

She also thanked those who remained rational and abided by the epidemic prevention rules at this difficult time.

"You constitute the majority of our country, and you show the spirit of citizenship every day. This spirit makes our country so beautiful. Without this spirit, the vision of any prime minister and government cannot be realized."

　　Merkel said that there will be difficult times in the next few weeks, and this test can only be overcome by working together.

"I sincerely wish that we will usher in victory together."

She wished the people all the best, good health, and a contemplative Christmas season and a happy Christmas.

　　"I want to say thank you." Merkel said at last.

(over)