Despite western media presentations of vaccine outlooks in what they frame as progressive Germany, the country actually has one of the lower vaccination rates in Europe. About 76% of Germans have one dose of vaccine compared to an average of 80% in France, Italy and Spain.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated earlier in the year, the only way forward through the COVID-19 pandemic was a national vaccine mandate.
Anticipating limited support for the measure, Scholz’s tenuous coalition government constructed a law they thought would have widespread support. Those over 60-years of age would have a mandatory vaccination, and those 18 to 59 would have a mandatory conversation with their doctors about the vaccination.
The members of parliament were told to follow their conscience as Scholz’s law was brought to the floor for a vote. The vaccine law failed to pass parliament as 378 members voted against it, 296 voted in favor. The legislative defeat has stunned the ruling German coalition.
BERLIN, April 7 (Reuters) – Germany’s lower house of parliament on Thursday voted against a bill requiring anyone aged 60 and over to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in a defeat for Chancellor Olaf Scholz.