Germany's upcoming national election, set for February 23rd, is heating up, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) formally nominating Alice Weidel as its chancellor candidate. Protests erupted outside the AfD's conference in Riesa, Saxony, as the party's two-day convention commenced with significant delays.
Weidel's campaign promises are notably distinct from the mainstream, advocating for leaving the Eurozone, closing borders, and dismantling wind turbines. She directly criticized the leading opposition Union bloc, labeling its members "fraudsters". While polls suggest the AfD is positioned as a strong second-place contender (around 20% support), securing the chancellor's office remains a remote possibility given opposition parties' reluctance to cooperate.
Meanwhile, Friedrich Merz, the Union candidate, has prioritized bolstering the German economy and reducing immigration as his primary campaign focuses. He's positioned as the frontrunner, currently enjoying significantly higher poll numbers (around 30%). Merz's message emphasizes stable governance and attracting investment.
Incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz, facing a possible upset despite recent poll numbers suggesting only 14-17% support for his Social Democrats, acknowledged past missteps in coalition negotiations. He called for a forward-looking approach, contrasting his own moderate policies with what he perceived as overly ambitious and potentially fiscally damaging proposals by Merz's Union bloc.
Scholz's government took a controversial stance on supplying weaponry to Ukraine while declining to send specific long-range missiles. His response to recent statements by US President-elect Trump regarding potential territorial claims further underscored his commitment to international norms.
The election promises a complex and contentious outcome. The divergence in policy platforms, combined with the significant polarization evident in the electorate, suggests a potentially volatile political landscape moving forward.
