Chancellor Scholz kicks off holidays with a tree

STORY: A children's choir sang traditional Christmas songs next to the tree, which measured about 15 metres tall and was festooned with fairy lights.

During his speech, Scholz reflected on the effects of the Ukraine war on a national level and on refugees having fled to Germany.

"Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians found refuge in our country", Scholz said. "They are and remain very welcome here."