FAZ early thinkers: is Scholz traveling to Kyiv?

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Cai Tore Philippsen

Responsible editor for the FAZ.NET editorial team

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1. Scholz is apparently planning a trip to Kiev

2. Good prospects for Macron

3. CDU candidates are ahead in Saxony

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1. Scholz is apparently planning a trip to Kyiv

The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine has been going on for more than a hundred days, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz has still not been to Kyiv.

Now there are some indications of a trip in June.

Rumours:

There is no official confirmation that the report by "Bild am Sonntag" is correct.

The paper reported that Scholz would travel to Kyiv with French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi before the G-7 summit, which begins on June 26 in Elmau, Bavaria.

There were repeated reports that Scholz and Macron wanted to travel together.

However, Macron does not want to travel before the end of the French parliamentary elections next Sunday, it is said.

Scholz himself is silent about his travel plans, which is reasonable for security reasons.

Panzer:

In the ongoing debate about his possible visit to Kiev, the SPD politician said that he didn't want to go there for a "photo shoot" but that it should be about "very specific things".

In concrete terms, the delivery of heavy weapons directly from Germany to Ukraine could be imminent.

Rheinmetall has repaired the first Marder armored personnel carriers.

They could be delivered to Ukraine immediately, and Rheinmetall is modernizing a total of 100 Marders.

In addition, Germany has promised Ukraine seven self-propelled howitzers, among other weapon systems.

So Scholz would not come empty-handed.

EU accession:

In the next two weeks, the decision as to whether Ukraine will become a candidate for accession to the European Union will be made in concrete terms.

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen was in Kyiv this weekend for the second time since the war began to make preparations for this decision.

The EU Commission wants to make a recommendation this week, after which it will be up to the heads of government of the 27 member states.

A trip to Kyiv by Scholz, Macron and Draghi would be a clear signal to the other heads of state and government and more than just a photo opportunity.

Von der Leyen speaks of a "historic decision".

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2. Good prospects for Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron can hope for a parliamentary majority for his government projects.

Forecasts:

In the first round of the French parliamentary elections, Macron's government camp is tied with the left-wing alliance NUPES from the left-wing party LFI, Greens, Socialists and Communists, with a share of the vote of a good 25 percent nationwide.

However, since it is not the national result that counts, but the election in each of the 577 constituencies, Macron can still hope for a parliamentary majority for his government project.

This is the forecast for the second ballot next Sunday.

Left alliance:

The spokesman for the left alliance, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, is still trying to motivate his supporters to go to the second ballot.

"The presidential party is defeated, it is dead," Mélenchon said.

The forecasts about the distribution of seats are "an illusion".

Mélenchon's alliance advertises a return to retirement at 60, a policy of disobedience to the EU and an exit from NATO.

Participation:

Emmanuel Macron once started with the promise of political renewal.

Now the re-elected president has to accept a historically low turnout of 47 percent in the parliamentary elections.

More than half of those entitled to vote did not go to the polls.

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