Germany Celebrate the next Sunday, February 23a vote that will define the course of one of the most influential states of the European Union And of the most robust economy between the twenty -seven, despite two years in a row in recession.
In these elections, voters will choose the new head of Government in Berlinin an election marked by the need to reorient the economymanage the Migration policies and by the rise of ultra -right In the Bundestag.
They are predicted by a difficult destination For the current chancellor, who is emerging to stay in the third position. It is behind the democratian candidate Friedrich Merz of the CDU, the undisputed favorite of the polls, and even the ultras of Alternative by Germany (AfD).
The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, during his speech at the Munich Security Conference, this Saturday. / Alex Kraus / Bloomberg
The current chancellor, Olaf Scholz, the option of social democrats
Olaf Scholz, 66 years, lawyer by profession and former finance of finance in the administration of Merkel, It carries more than Three years at the head of the Executive German and a coalition of government that collapsed after trying to make the rules that regulate the public spending roof in Germany more flexible.
One of the most delicate episodes of his mandate began with the outbreak of the War in Ukrainethat shook the German economyforced to review defense policies and send aid to kyiv. Some government critics say he reacted too late. Among the measures he defends Scholz associations with other countries are found to deport asylum seekers rejected by Germany and extend the Border controls temporal. It also proposes the creation of a “German fund” to boost public investment and raise the minimum wage at 15 euros per hour, compared to the current 12.82.
Olaf Sholz belongs to the most wing conservative of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), a historical center -left formation that has been part of the government during the last 12 years uninterruptedly. The party, according to all voting intention surveys, tends down and could have its worst result on February 23 since 1949.
The leader of the CDU and candidate for the German Foreign Ministry, Friedrich Merz, this Monday during the party congress. / Clemens BILAN / EFE
The favorite in the surveys, Friedrich Merz (CDU)
Surveys place as a favorite the candidate of the Christian -democratic union, Friedrich Merzformer investment banker and internal party rival Merkel that is presented under the motto “A Germany of which we can be proud again”.
Among his campaign promises are the implementation of permanent border controlsan accelerated reform of asylum systemcuts in Social spending and a reduction of Business Taxes To reactivate the German economy. In the international sphere, Merz has promised to strengthen the Germany leadership in Europe and provide greater support for Ukrainewithout ruling out its future adhesion to NATO.
Under its direction, the CDU has turned more towards the right In the last three years, in an attempt to rescue their conservative rootsreturn to the government and reverse the transfer of votes to the ultra -rightist alternative for Germany.
The ultra alternative training candidate for Germany (AFD), Alice Weidel, at a press conference in Berlin, this Saturday. / CLEMENS BILAN / Efe / Epa
Alice Weidel, the bet of ultra -right (AFD) and Musk
The alternative candidate for Germany (AFD), Alice Weidel46, is the first to run for the Chancellor’s position since the creation of the party in 2013, a position that only occurs in Germany when there is a real possibility of victory. According to surveys, Weidel has the support of the 20% of the electorateand has received the support of the billionaire Elon Muskwho has declared that he cannot be a right -wing extremist, since “he has a same sex couple of Sri Lanka.”
However, Weidel and his party defend the Mass deportation of migrantsadopting the controversial concept of “Remigration“, which consider the expulsion of” illegal “criminals and migrants. In addition, the AFD has been accused of links with organizations neo -Nazis and meadows And in their actions, the party’s followers cheer the candidate with the slogan “Alice Für Deutschland” (Alice for Germany), which remembers Nazi motto forbidden “Everything for Germany” (Todo Por Alemania).
AFD is presented in these elections as a serious Threat for the German political landscapewhich has achieved, until now, to keep training out of government responsibilities, both in Berlin and in the federated states.
The Minister of Economy and leader of the Greens in Germany, Robert Habeck, during the Climate Summit in Baku, on November 18. / Larissa Swedes / dpa / Europa Press
Robert Habeck, El Candidato de Los Verdes (the Greens)
The Greens Germans go to the early general elections next Sunday as wildcardsince the distribution of votes, according to the surveys, makes it likely that the winner of the elections will resort to them to form government.
The Ecologist Party, which has as a candidate for the Minister of Outgoing Economy and Vice Chancellor, Robert Habeckrejects the return to nuclear energy and advocates renewable energy affordable to supply the electrical needs of Germany and convert the country towards the Carbon neutrality.
Other candidates
Below 6% in the surveys are The leftthe left party headed by Jan van Aken Y Heidi Reichinnek; the BSWa new populist training of the left and prorruse led by Sahra Wagenknecht; and the liberals of FDPunder the direction of Christian Lindner.
