Olaf Scholz condemns Covid ‘truth denial’ in inaugural speech

German chancellor promises to defeat pandemic, tackle extremists and speed up switch to renewable energy

The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has used his inaugural address to parliament to promise to defeat the pandemic and to tackle a minority of hate-filled extremists" trying to overturn the government's coronavirus measures.

In a wide-ranging speech in which he said there was a lot to do" and no time to lose", Scholz also acknowledged the huge challenges Germany faced in tackling the climate emergency, including the fears many had about the impact a transition to climate neutrality might have on their lives.