Annalena Baerbock comments on controversial photo

A photo has surfaced online showing German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock running away from Chancellor Olaf Scholz. However, Baerbock herself refuted this interpretation of the image, stating that it was misunderstood.

According to ZDF, German media recently published a frame showing Baerbock and Scholz standing next to each other. In the photo, the Chancellor is reaching out his hand towards the Minister, but she is allegedly avoiding contact.

The Bild newspaper reported that Baerbock allegedly refused to pose for a photo with Scholz due to his position on the €3 billion aid package for Ukraine. Other sources clarify that the Chancellor agrees to the aid, but on the condition of abandoning the debt brake, which does not suit the Minister.

On ZDF, Baerbock refuted the rumours that she was "running away" from Scholz, stating that the photo was taken by accident. According to her, she did not notice the Chancellor's gesture because she could not see his hand due to her body position. The Minister noted that erroneous conclusions are drawn by those who interpret the photo without understanding that she did not feel what was happening behind her.