Berlin, January 12, 2025 – The Europe Today: Germany’s ruling Social Democrats (SPD) officially announced Chancellor Olaf Scholz as the party’s candidate for the upcoming federal elections scheduled for February 23.
At the SPD congress in Berlin on Saturday, Scholz’s leadership was overwhelmingly reaffirmed, with only a few delegates opposing his candidacy.
Germany at a ‘Crossroads’
In his address to the congress, Scholz declared that Germany was at a “crossroads,” emphasizing the need for fair wages, affordable housing, and stable pensions for “ordinary people.” He criticized the CDU/CSU conservative alliance for focusing on policies benefiting “the top 10%” and lacking clear solutions for labor shortages and the transition to clean energy.
Scholz also reaffirmed the importance of respecting sovereign borders, referencing recent remarks by US President-elect Donald Trump about Greenland. “No country is the backyard of another,” Scholz stressed, calling this principle a cornerstone of Western values.
In 2021, Scholz led the SPD to victory, forming a coalition government with the Greens and Free Democrats (FDP). However, the coalition collapsed last year after Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, leading to snap elections.
SPD Trails CDU and AfD in Polls
Recent polls indicate a challenging road ahead for the SPD, with projections placing it third behind the CDU/CSU and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
On Saturday, CDU leader Friedrich Merz, at a news conference in Hamburg, called for “fundamental change” and pledged to establish a stable government free from internal disputes.
Meanwhile, the AfD held a campaign event nominating co-leader Alice Weidel as its candidate for chancellor, a move that drew protests from thousands of demonstrators.
