Germany: Scholz and Merz to face off in debate ahead of early parliamentary elections

Канцлер Олаф Шольц

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Photo: Thomas Koehler / bundesfinanzministerium.de

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his main political opponent, conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz, will hold at least two televised debates before the early parliamentary elections scheduled for 23 February. This was reported by DPA on Tuesday.

State-owned TV channels ARD and ZDF are planning to organise the first meeting between the candidates on 9 February, while the private TV channel RTL and Stern magazine have invited them to a debate on 16 February.

On Monday, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz lost the confidence of the lower house of parliament (Bundestag) and asked German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to call early elections.

According to the polls, the conservative bloc, which consists of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU, Merz’s party) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), is significantly ahead of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). Friedrich Merz is considered the main contender for the post of chancellor.

In addition to the debate between Scholz and Merz, state-owned TV channels will also organise a separate debate between the leaders of the Green Party and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Meanwhile, on Monday evening, the newly formed Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) party announced that its leader, Sarah Wagenknecht, would also run for chancellor.

This election promises to be the most fiercely contested in recent years, as Germany’s political landscape changes and parties prepare for an unprecedented power struggle.

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