German Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed he will run for a second term in the upcoming snap elections after his Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, ruled himself out. The decision brings some clarity, but leaves the SPD with its most unpopular chancellor in record time.
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.
Street clashes broke out for a second night in the Tunisian city of Kairouan after a man died following a police pursuit, raising fears of wider unres...
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says international cooperation is essential for Syria’s recovery as investment slowly begins to return despite ...
Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday that Thai forces would continue military action along the Cambodia border u...
U.S. stock markets closed lower at the end of the week, as investors continued to rotate out of technology shares, putting pressure on major indices....
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned that without concrete concessions from Russia, such as limiting its military forces or curbing its defe...
At the opening of the Hanover industrial trade fair on Sunday, March 30, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Europe is prepared to act as one if the United States imposes tariffs on steel and aluminum.
The CDU won Germany’s national election, with Friedrich Merz set to become chancellor. The far-right AfD made significant gains, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD suffered a major setback.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stated that Europe will not support any peace process that excludes Ukraine or calls for its demilitarisation, stressing that Europe’s involvement is crucial for any meaningful negotiations.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Elon Musk for using his media influence to interfere in global affairs and support far-right movements, expressing concern over its impact on democracy in Europe.
The Oligarch’s Design is an investigative documentary exploring how financial power, political influence and carefully constructed narratives can shape conflict and public perception.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated his offer to host Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Ankara, at his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks took place on the sidelines of the international Forum for Peace and Trust in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on Friday (12 December).
The resignation of Bulgaria's government on Thursday (11 December) puts an end to an increasingly unpopular coalition but is likely to usher in a period of prolonged political instability on the eve of the Black Sea nation's entry into the euro zone.
NATO's Secretary-General urged European leaders to step up defence efforts to prevent a war waged by Russia, that could be "on the scale of war our grandparents and great-grandparents endured".
Street clashes broke out for a second night in the Tunisian city of Kairouan after a man died following a police pursuit, raising fears of wider unrest as the country nears the anniversary of the 2011 revolution.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says international cooperation is essential for Syria’s recovery as investment slowly begins to return despite the scale of destruction after years of conflict.
Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday that Thai forces would continue military action along the Cambodia border until Bangkok believes there is no longer a threat to Thai territory or civilians.
U.S. stock markets closed lower at the end of the week, as investors continued to rotate out of technology shares, putting pressure on major indices.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned that without concrete concessions from Russia, such as limiting its military forces or curbing its defence budget, new conflicts could erupt elsewhere, even if Ukraine receives security guarantees.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment