BERLIN — During a parliamentary session on Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized his primary opponent, Friedrich Merz, for what he called “constant about turns” in his political stance as the nation approaches its election on February 23. Merz, the leader of the opposition and a front-runner in the electoral race, accused Scholz of creating an economic “disaster” as the governing coalition has struggled recently.
Current polls indicate that Merz’s center-right Union bloc holds the lead, significantly ahead of Scholz’s center-left Social Democrats, whose support appears to be dwindling with little chance of recovery. Notably, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is projected to secure the second position in the upcoming elections.
In addressing lawmakers, Scholz highlighted the considerable hurdles his coalition has faced, particularly the repercussions of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which has led to a severe energy crisis and rising inflation. He referenced the “irritations” stemming from Donald Trump’s foreign policy decisions, including tariffs on steel and aluminum, stating, “the wind is blowing in our face at the moment, and that reality is unlikely to change significantly in the years to come.”
“Strong leadership, resolute nerves, and a defined course are crucial in these challenging times,” he emphasized. “What we need is not inconsistency or overly loud rhetoric.” He accused Merz of inconsistent positions regarding policies on Ukraine and the broader themes of migration.
Merz countered Scholz’s claims by painting a grim picture of the current economic landscape, describing the administration led by Scholz and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck of the Greens as akin to “two managers who have driven the company into the wall” while seeking to maintain their leadership continuity. He pointed out that Germany’s economy is anticipated to contract for a third consecutive year and labeled the labor market conditions as a “sheer disaster.”
“What you’re telling us is essentially… ‘I did everything as I should, it’s merely that everyone else has failed to grasp this chancellor’s insight,’” Merz remarked.
The two leaders have presented differing strategies to stimulate economic growth and tackle issues regarding irregular migration. On this topic, Scholz once again accused Merz of “irresponsible gambling,” criticizing his nonbinding proposal that called for increased border restrictions on migrants, which was passed by parliament with the support of AfD members — a historic first in post-war Germany.
Merz firmly reiterated that there is “no question” of aligning with the AfD, stating that the next government must effectively address Germany’s pressing challenges, warning that failure to do so might result in the rise of right-wing populists approaching a potential majority.
