Germany’s Chancellor Candidates Debate Key Issues: Economy and Ukraine
The final debate among Germany’s top chancellor candidates centered on crucial issues such as the economy, Ukraine’s conflict, and international relations, particularly regarding the US. Merz and Weidel clashed over military support for Ukraine, while Habeck and Scholz focused on economic recovery strategies amid rising energy costs. Ultimately, Merz gained significant support in the polls following the debate, indicating a potential leadership shift in Germany.
The final televised debate among Germany’s four primary chancellor candidates—Friedrich Merz, Olaf Scholz, Robert Habeck, and Alice Weidel—was intense and concentrated on key issues including the economy, Ukraine, migration, and the influence of US Vice President JD Vance. Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) asserted Germany’s unwavering support for Ukraine, countering Alice Weidel of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), who criticized militaristic responses and emphasized a peaceful resolution, praising Donald Trump’s peacemaking efforts.
The debate shifted to the concerning state of Germany’s economy, which has struggled over the past two years. Merz argued the need to diminish bureaucratic hurdles and criticized the previous government’s decision to phase out nuclear power during an energy crisis, attributing rising energy costs to that decision. Weidel echoed this sentiment, advocating for a reliance on nuclear energy, coal, and gas to stabilize prices, which she claimed were exacerbated by the green energy transition.
Robert Habeck, the current economy minister, placed blame for the economic downturn on a lack of affordable Russian gas and shrinking export markets, stating that Germany’s historical reliance on Russian energy is a significant factor in the current challenges. He advocated for less bureaucracy and increased investments in infrastructure, asserting the growing inequality in wealth distribution. Olaf Scholz, representing the Social Democrats (SPD), concurred that Russia’s military actions were largely responsible for escalating energy prices but defended his administration’s economic strategies.
The debate also addressed recent diplomatic tensions with the US, particularly following the Munich Security Conference, where Scholz was sidelined while Weidel engaged with the new US administration. Weidel maintained that her party is open to fostering good relations with both the US and China and endorsed JD Vance’s controversial statements about European democracies’ vulnerabilities. Merz firmly opposed any directives from Vance regarding domestic politics, insisting on Germany’s independence in its political choices.
A Forsa flash poll following the debate indicated that Merz was viewed as the victor, with 32% support among viewers. Although Habeck was regarded as the most personable candidate, earning 34% in likability, only 13% of respondents trusted him to lead, versus 42% for Merz. Currently, CDU leads in polls with 29% of projected votes. Merz expressed openness to forming coalitions with the SPD and the Greens, emphasizing the need for Germany to progress beyond past policies.
The final debate underscored the intense competition among chancellor candidates surrounding significant issues like the economy and Ukraine. Candidates presented starkly contrasting views on military involvement, economic recovery strategies, and domestic policy. Merz emerged as a leading candidate in both poll results and perceived support, setting the stage for potential coalition discussions to address Germany’s pressing challenges.
Original Source: www.euronews.com
