Scholz became Germany’s least popular chancellor since reunification in 1990
The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) officially nominated Olaf Scholz this Monday as its candidate for chancellor in the next early elections, after a unanimous vote.
According to the German broadcaster NTVthe current leader of the country’s government is seeking a second term, after the popular defense minister, Boris Pistorius, revealed himself unavailable for the role on Thursday. There were rumors that the minister should lead the SPD in the next elections.
Scholz has become Germany’s least popular chancellor since reunification in 1990 due to infighting within the fragile tripartite coalition, which collapsed earlier this month after disagreements over how to revive the struggling economy.
The current chancellor now has a difficult battle ahead of him if he intends to win the elections that are due to take place on February 23, as the polls are not in his favor. According to some polls, the SPD is currently in third place with 14% of voting intentions, behind the opposition conservatives, with 32%, and the far-right Alternative for Germany, with 19%.
The now candidate for a second term is also considered less popular than the conservative candidate, Friedrich Merz, although by a smaller margin. A Wahlen poll puts him at 39% against Merz’s 44%.
