Germany’s Election: A Look at the Final Days of Campaigning
The contenders in Germany’s election made their final appeals to voters, with opposition leader and front-runner Friedrich Merz vowing to revive the stagnant economy and defend Europe’s interests in the face of a confrontational U.S. administration. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, meanwhile, insisted that he still hopes for an improbable last-minute comeback.
Germans are electing a new parliament Sunday after a campaign focused on the state of Europe’s biggest economy and calls to curb migration, while uncertainty has grown rapidly about the future of Ukraine and the strength of Europe’s alliance with the United States. It appears to have done little to shift parties’ positions in polls, with the center-right opposition, led by Merz’s Union bloc, in the lead.
At a closing rally in a Munich beer hall, Merz told supporters that "three years in opposition are enough." Germany is a traditional leader of the 27-nation EU and the bloc’s most populous member, but like fellow heavyweight France has been consumed in recent months by domestic instability. Merz said that "with me, Germany will have a strong voice in the European Union again."
"Europe must be a player and not ask maybe to get a seat at a side table," he said. "No, we must sit at the main table; and we must safeguard our interests against Russia, against China, and if necessary also with respect to America."
Merz also underscored his calls for a tougher stance on migration, which created friction in recent weeks. Last month, he brought a nonbinding motion calling for many more migrants to be turned back at Germany’s borders to parliament. The motion was approved thanks to votes from Alternative for Germany, or AfD — a first in postwar Germany that prompted opponents to accuse Merz of breaking a taboo. He rejects the criticism.
Scholz’s center-left Social Democrats have shown little sign of coming back from a large poll deficit after the chancellor’s three-party coalition collapsed in November following a long-running argument about how to revitalize the economy. That led to the election being held seven months ahead of schedule.
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At an event in Potsdam, which he represents in parliament, Scholz again cast doubt on Merz’s reliability and portrayed his party as the strongest bulwark against AfD playing any role. "Anyone who wants to be sure this doesn’t happen must ensure that there are strong Social Democrats and that they can provide the next chancellor," he said.
Conclusion
The election in Germany is expected to be a closely contested one, with both parties vying for power. The outcome will have significant implications for the future of Europe and the global economy. Will Merz’s calls for a tougher stance on migration and a stronger voice in the EU resonate with voters, or will Scholz’s party manage to mount a comeback?
FAQs
- When is the German election?
- The election is scheduled to take place on Sunday.
- Who is the front-runner in the election?
- Friedrich Merz, the leader of the center-right opposition, is the current front-runner.
- What is the main issue in the election?
- The main issue is the state of the economy and the future of Europe.
- What is the significance of the election?
- The outcome will have significant implications for the future of Europe and the global economy.
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