I mean, clearly that's not how these things work in Germany.

It's international diplomacy and it's very much how these things are done, even when it involves Germany. How do you think things like trade deals are handled- Germany just submits a request in public with no prior discussions?

Plenty of folks in the government who don't have final say have had no problem saying essentially that "for their part, they will approve it" so what is stopping Scholz from doing the same?

All Scholz has to do is say "When it gets to my desk, I will approve it" so why hasn't he? Merkel never seemed to have a problem voicing her own opinion so to the rest of the world it seems like Scholz is trying to stall.