German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to run for a second term in the upcoming snap elections after his popular Defence Minister Boris Pistorius – a possible replacement – ruled himself out of the running on Thursday. The news provided some relief after weeks of uncertainty about whether Pistorius would step forward, with the elections just months away on 23rd February.
But it leaves the ruling Social Democrats (SPD) with Germany's most unpopular chancellor on record as their candidate at a time when the party is already trailing in third place behind the opposition conservatives and the far-right.
"I have just informed our party and parliamentary group leaders that I will not be standing as a candidate for the office of federal chancellor," Pistorius said in a video posted to SPD social media channels on Thursday evening. "This is my sovereign, personal and entirely personal decision."
Traditionally, the incumbent chancellor would always be in pole position to lead his or her party into the next election – former Chancellor Angela Merkel won four consecutive terms for the conservatives. But the stark difference in popularity between the diffident Scholz and Pistorius, Germany's most popular politician since he stepped onto the national stage as defence minister two years ago, had raised doubts about whether this was the best course of action.
Even within the SPD, a majority favoured Pistorius running for chancellor over Scholz, who earlier this month oversaw the collapse of his fractious three-way coalition over differences about how to revive the ailing economy.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to help resolve EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles during talks at the G20 summit. Xi emphasized the importance of dialogue to settle trade differences. Scholz also discussed geopolitical issues, including the Ukraine war.
Olaf Scholz's hopes of being re-elected as German chancellor is under threat as calls for his withdrawal intensify. Infighting within the SPD and dwindling popularity among the German people have contributed to the unprecedented move.
Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under pressure to trigger a new election, after the coalition government collapsed on 6 November after Scholz fired his finance minister.
Germany’s coalition government collapsed over budget disputes, sparking political turmoil. Opposition leader Friedrich Merz urges an immediate confidence vote, while Chancellor Scholz plans a vote in January, leading to elections by March.
The agreement, finalised at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, establishes that developed countries will contribute $300 billion annually by 2035 to assist poorer countries in mitigating the effects of climate change.
Delegates at COP29 in Baku push for consensus on climate finance targets, with calls for urgent action to address the global climate crisis as negotiations intensify.
Short-term rental owners in Croatia protested against proposed tax hikes, claiming the measures unfairly target low-income earners and threaten their livelihoods. The government argues the changes aim to tackle a housing crisis driven by tourism demand.
Global tensions rise at COP29 in Baku as developing nations reject the proposed $300B climate finance goal, demanding at least $500B annually to address urgent needs. Negotiations face a breaking point as blocs threaten to walk out over unmet demands.
Negotiations at COP29 in Baku face a critical impasse as sharp divisions over climate finance and fossil fuel commitments threaten progress.
"Come up with the video in its full form," demands the COP29 CEO, Elnur Soltanov, in an exclusive interview with AnewZ. The chief executive has broken his silence on the claims he was using his position to organise potential fossil fuel deals.
The United Nations COP29 climate change conference in Baku seeks $1 trillion annually to help vulnerable nations tackle climate change, as political tensions and Argentina’s withdrawal overshadow talks.
Short-term rental owners in Croatia protested against proposed tax hikes, claiming the measures unfairly target low-income earners and threaten their livelihoods. The government argues the changes aim to tackle a housing crisis driven by tourism demand.
Hungary and Poland warn of escalating risks in the Ukraine war as Russia lowers its nuclear threshold and launches missile strikes, signalling a critical phase in the conflict.
China’s 41st Antarctic expedition team has reached Qinling Station, the nation’s fifth research base, to restore power, build infrastructure, and study climate change impacts on the Antarctic ecosystem, marking a key milestone in the country’s polar exploration efforts.
In its flagship 2025 Global Outlook report, released at the WFP's Rome headquarters, the agency said that at least 343 million people across 74 countries are currently facing acute food insecurity, marking a 10% increase compared to last year.
Hundreds of migrants, including families with young children, risked perilous conditions to climb atop a cargo train in Mexico’s Veracruz state, seeking a brief reprieve on their journey to the U.S. border amidst heightened fears of stricter immigration policies.
The agreement, finalised at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, establishes that developed countries will contribute $300 billion annually by 2035 to assist poorer countries in mitigating the effects of climate change.
Delegates at COP29 in Baku push for consensus on climate finance targets, with calls for urgent action to address the global climate crisis as negotiations intensify.
Short-term rental owners in Croatia protested against proposed tax hikes, claiming the measures unfairly target low-income earners and threaten their livelihoods. The government argues the changes aim to tackle a housing crisis driven by tourism demand.
Global tensions rise at COP29 in Baku as developing nations reject the proposed $300B climate finance goal, demanding at least $500B annually to address urgent needs. Negotiations face a breaking point as blocs threaten to walk out over unmet demands.
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