Scholz nominated as SPD's chancellor pick amid political shake-up
Olaf Scholz has been officially nominated by the SPD as a candidate for Chancellor of Germany. The elections will be held on February 23.
Olaf Scholz has been officially nominated by the SPD as a candidate for Chancellor of Germany. This decision was confirmed during a party convention in Berlin. Early parliamentary elections are scheduled for February 23.
During the convention in Berlin, Scholz stated that "we are living in hellishly difficult times." In his speech, he referred to the war in Ukraine and the potential rise to power in Austria by the far-right FPÖ. He also criticized American forces discussing forcibly changing borders, although he did not mention Donald Trump by name.
Scholz's election promises
Scholz announced a raise of the minimum wage from €12 to €15 ($12.3 to $15.4) per hour and tax breaks for 95% of citizens. He also plans measures to limit rent increases and heating costs.
As he emphasized, the SPD is a party of "ordinary people," not "the 10,000 richest."
On Saturday, the far-right AfD also announced 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 led a coalition government of the SPD, the Greens, and the FDP. His government fell after the resignation of Finance Minister Christian Lindner 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 currently expect to receive 14-17% of the votes.
The 66-year-old Scholz is one of Germany's most experienced politicians. He was the mayor of Hamburg from 2011-2018, and then Deputy Chancellor and Finance Minister in Angela Merkel's coalition government.
