Ukraine is one of the key issues on voters’ minds as the European parliamentary elections get underway. But in Germany this issue is causing conflict. CGTN’s Peter Oliver reports.
00:00Beating the drum for votes in Leipzig, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz left this election rally for his Social Democrat Party in no doubt about his views on Ukraine.
00:13Ukraine and its citizens have the rights to defend their freedom, their democracy and the sovereignty of their state.
00:22A peace dictate from Putin is not acceptable and that is why we will continue to support Ukraine, because that is necessary.
00:33Ukraine has been a big issue during campaigning. On the far left, calling for peace talks, including with Moscow, there is the newly formed left-wing populist group, the Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance, Reason and Justice, known as BSW.
00:47The BSW look set to make their first entrance into the EU Parliament. Policies include stopping weapons shipments to Ukraine, raising minimum wages across the EU and watering down climate goals, which is popular with those in industrial and manufacturing areas.
01:04On the far right, the alternative for Germany party, the AfD, are also opposed to more aid being sent to Kiev. Despite a series of scandals, they could still make a strong showing.
01:16EU Parliamentary elections are a chance for voters to send a message to those in power nationally.
01:22Seen as a secondary election and in secondary election you kick the shins of the government and then you have protest and then we have other parties on the extreme left that are flirting with Russia and on the extreme right that are flirting with a nationalist perspective and also flirting with Russia.
01:39So it's kind of a horseshoe flirting with the two edges with each other and then a big majority of establishment parties in the centre and that is their dividing line.
01:50Schultz's appearance in Leipzig was to support incumbent EU Parliament Vice President Katharina Barley in the upcoming vote. She says she recognises many feel differently but believe Germany must stay the course in support for Ukraine.
02:05We also want peace for Ukraine. We all want that. I know that we don't always agree on how exactly we can achieve this peace. I have respect for everyone who sees it differently than I do because I know that we agree on the goal.
02:22And my position is that as long as the people of Ukraine want to defend themselves we are on their side and must support them in doing so. That is our moral duty.
02:35For voters in the east of Germany one of their biggest concerns is making sure the conflict in Ukraine ends and doesn't spread.
02:44You can't let them run into a wall and perish. That won't be a solution either. So where is the solution. Well if I knew I think I probably would get a medal.
02:57I hope the war doesn't continue. That it doesn't spread further across Europe. I think that's the most important thing. And in my opinion that can only be achieved if we continue to support Ukraine with weapons.
03:10They have to negotiate every day behind the scenes in front of the scenes somewhere. There must always be discussions. There must be a willingness on both sides for those who get along with each other.
03:24With centre-right parties set to make up the largest bloc in the next EU parliament it's unlikely that European Union policy on Ukraine will change.
03:34But there are questions over what impact potential gains for far-right and far-left parties could have on future decision making.
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