06:41Olaf Scholz said he was 'saddened' by Alternative for Germany (AfD)'s election surge in Thuringia and Saxony, and admitted that his policies on Ukraine and migration had played a role, during a 'Chancellor Talks' town hall-style event with the public in Berlin on Thursday.
"The fact that populism is now getting so much support is not good," he told those present, when asked if it would affect his approach. "The fact that many people are very insecure plays a role," he claimed, while accusing his opponents of 'exploiting' migration.
"Many who voted differently.. think we should not support Ukraine," he added. "And that is an issue. You have to talk about it….And I can say that, I am sticking to my prudent course which is a course of support, however."
Conversely, one citizen asked Scholz 'whether you could sleep well' given that Ukraine was asking for much more than Germany was supplying.
"The very prudent policy I have been following, has been heavily criticised by some as being too hesitant," he replied, saying he had to avoid the possibility that the conflict "escalates into a war between Russia and NATO".
Ukraine has repeatedly called for long-range weaponry - and the lifting of Western restrictions - for strikes deep inside Russia. Allies remain divided, although reports this week suggested the US could soon supply the capability, while Moscow has said weapons deliveries bring NATO into a 'direct conflict'.
Scholz was also asked if he ever walked the 'streets of Berlin' and had seen the 'crack corpses' and 'zombies' of the many people addicted to drugs. He responded that drugs caused 'terrible destruction' but that situations in other cities - such as San Francisco - were 'quite different' and 'much more challenging'.
The AfD came first in regional elections in Thuringia and a close second in Saxony, having campaigned on a platform calling for tougher restrictions on immigration, halting of arms supplies to Ukraine and the end to sanctions on Russia, which it claims are hurting the German economy and driving surging energy prices.
Ahead of the vote, Scholz himself promised an immigration 'crackdown', following the mass stabbing in Solingen and the arrest of a Syria asylum seeker - while the government has also cut aid by half to Ukraine next year, which it says is needed to balance the budget.
'I'm very saddened, populism is not good' - Scholz admits Ukraine, migration played role in AfD surge at tense Berlin town hall
Olaf Scholz said he was 'saddened' by Alternative for Germany (AfD)'s election surge in Thuringia and Saxony, and admitted that his policies on Ukraine and migration had played a role, during a 'Chancellor Talks' town hall-style event with the public in Berlin on Thursday.
"The fact that populism is now getting so much support is not good," he told those present, when asked if it would affect his approach. "The fact that many people are very insecure plays a role," he claimed, while accusing his opponents of 'exploiting' migration.
"Many who voted differently.. think we should not support Ukraine," he added. "And that is an issue. You have to talk about it….And I can say that, I am sticking to my prudent course which is a course of support, however."
Conversely, one citizen asked Scholz 'whether you could sleep well' given that Ukraine was asking for much more than Germany was supplying.
"The very prudent policy I have been following, has been heavily criticised by some as being too hesitant," he replied, saying he had to avoid the possibility that the conflict "escalates into a war between Russia and NATO".
Ukraine has repeatedly called for long-range weaponry - and the lifting of Western restrictions - for strikes deep inside Russia. Allies remain divided, although reports this week suggested the US could soon supply the capability, while Moscow has said weapons deliveries bring NATO into a 'direct conflict'.
Scholz was also asked if he ever walked the 'streets of Berlin' and had seen the 'crack corpses' and 'zombies' of the many people addicted to drugs. He responded that drugs caused 'terrible destruction' but that situations in other cities - such as San Francisco - were 'quite different' and 'much more challenging'.
The AfD came first in regional elections in Thuringia and a close second in Saxony, having campaigned on a platform calling for tougher restrictions on immigration, halting of arms supplies to Ukraine and the end to sanctions on Russia, which it claims are hurting the German economy and driving surging energy prices.
Ahead of the vote, Scholz himself promised an immigration 'crackdown', following the mass stabbing in Solingen and the arrest of a Syria asylum seeker - while the government has also cut aid by half to Ukraine next year, which it says is needed to balance the budget.
Olaf Scholz said he was 'saddened' by Alternative for Germany (AfD)'s election surge in Thuringia and Saxony, and admitted that his policies on Ukraine and migration had played a role, during a 'Chancellor Talks' town hall-style event with the public in Berlin on Thursday.
"The fact that populism is now getting so much support is not good," he told those present, when asked if it would affect his approach. "The fact that many people are very insecure plays a role," he claimed, while accusing his opponents of 'exploiting' migration.
"Many who voted differently.. think we should not support Ukraine," he added. "And that is an issue. You have to talk about it….And I can say that, I am sticking to my prudent course which is a course of support, however."
Conversely, one citizen asked Scholz 'whether you could sleep well' given that Ukraine was asking for much more than Germany was supplying.
"The very prudent policy I have been following, has been heavily criticised by some as being too hesitant," he replied, saying he had to avoid the possibility that the conflict "escalates into a war between Russia and NATO".
Ukraine has repeatedly called for long-range weaponry - and the lifting of Western restrictions - for strikes deep inside Russia. Allies remain divided, although reports this week suggested the US could soon supply the capability, while Moscow has said weapons deliveries bring NATO into a 'direct conflict'.
Scholz was also asked if he ever walked the 'streets of Berlin' and had seen the 'crack corpses' and 'zombies' of the many people addicted to drugs. He responded that drugs caused 'terrible destruction' but that situations in other cities - such as San Francisco - were 'quite different' and 'much more challenging'.
The AfD came first in regional elections in Thuringia and a close second in Saxony, having campaigned on a platform calling for tougher restrictions on immigration, halting of arms supplies to Ukraine and the end to sanctions on Russia, which it claims are hurting the German economy and driving surging energy prices.
Ahead of the vote, Scholz himself promised an immigration 'crackdown', following the mass stabbing in Solingen and the arrest of a Syria asylum seeker - while the government has also cut aid by half to Ukraine next year, which it says is needed to balance the budget.