Scholz nominated as SPD's chancellor candidate amid challenges
The SPD has officially nominated Olaf Scholz as a candidate for Chancellor of Germany. The elections will be held on 23 February.
The SPD has officially nominated Olaf Scholz as a candidate for Chancellor of Germany. This decision was confirmed during a party convention in Berlin. Early parliamentary elections are scheduled for 23 February at Greenwich Mean Time.
During the convention in Berlin, Scholz stated that "we are living in extremely challenging times." In his speech, he referred to the war in Ukraine and the potential takeover of power in Austria by the far-right FPÖ. He also criticised forces in America that talk about forcibly changing borders, although he did not mention Donald Trump by name.
Scholz's election promises
Scholz announced a raise in the minimum wage from approximately £10 to £13 per hour and tax breaks for 95% of citizens. He also plans measures to limit rent increases and heating costs.
As he emphasised, the SPD is a party of "ordinary people," not "the 10,000 richest."
On Saturday, the far-right AfD also decided that party leader Alice Weidel is officially a candidate for Chancellor of Germany. The decision was made unanimously during the AfD federal convention in Riesa, Saxony.
Fall of the government in Germany
Since December 2021, Scholz has led a coalition government of the SPD, the Greens, and the FDP. However, his government fell after Finance Minister Christian Lindner resigned from the FDP. The reason was a difference of opinion on financing the budget deficit.
Who is leading in the polls in Germany?
In pre-election polls, the opposition CDU/CSU conservative bloc with Friedrich Merz is decisively leading. Over 30% of respondents want to vote for both conservative parties. The SPD can expect to receive 14-17% of the votes.
Scholz, 66, is one of Germany's most experienced politicians. He was Mayor of Hamburg from 2011 to 2018 and then Deputy Chancellor and Finance Minister in Angela Merkel's coalition government.
