Scholz, Germany and Friedrich Merz

Germany's Scholz, rival Merz face off in heated pre-election debate
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his conservative rival Friedrich Merz faced off in a heated TV debate on Sunday, exactly two weeks before the country heads to the polls. Scholz attacked Merz - whose conservative CDU/CSU alliance is leading in the polls on around 30% ahead of the election on February 23 - over his decision last week to pass a motion on migration reform in parliament with votes from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Scholz clashes with Merz over German economy and migration at last parliament meeting before poll
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has accused his main rival in Germany's upcoming election of "constant about turns," while Friedrich Merz, the opposition leader and front-runner, accused Scholz of leaving behind an economic "disaster.
Germany's Scholz, Merz clash over far-right AfD in election debate
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday accused election rival Friedrich Merz of having broken his word by accepting support from the far-right AfD to push an anti-immigration motion through parliament.
Germany's Scholz slams Merz on AfD cooperation in heated TV debate
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday accused his conservative rival Friedrich Merz of being ready to cooperate with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), as the rivals faced off in a heated TV debate just two weeks before the country heads to the polls.
Scholz, challenger Merz vow to shun extreme right as German election nears
BERLIN (Reuters) -German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his likely successor, Friedrich Merz, promised no collaboration with the extreme right on Tuesday in speeches to parliament before national elections on February 23.
Scholz Steps Up Attacks on Frontrunner Merz as German Vote Nears
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz used his likely final statement in parliament before the election to intensify his attacks on Friedrich Merz, accusing the conservative frontrunner of dividing Europe for political gain and saying his “fickleness and bluster” make him unsuitable to run the country.
Germany's Merz accuses Scholz of 'class warfare' in heated exchanges
German conservative leader Friedrich Merz on Tuesday accused Chancellor Olaf Scholz of stoking "class warfare" as rivals faced off in the final parliamentary session before national elections on 23. In a major speech in the Bundestag,
Fiery scenes in German parliament as Scholz and Merz exchange blows
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his conservative rival Friedrich Merz exchanged blows on Tuesday as lawmakers convened for a fiery final parliamentary session before national elections on February 23.
German election: Scholz, Merz vow not to work with far right
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz insists he would 'never' cooperate with the far right in the way he says his rival Friedrich Merz has done. Meanwhile, Merz said working with the AfD was out of the question.
Germany’s likely next chancellor says EU must not be ‘dwarf’ in Washington, urges European leaders to muscle up
Friedrich Merz, the leading candidate for Germany’s next chancellor, has said that Europe must be united in foreign, security ...
Germany’s Would-Be Chancellor Tries to Get Back on Cruise Control
Dogged by protesters, but apparently safe from damage in the polls, Friedrich Merz is putting a failed immigration gambit ...
The Economist1d
Germany’s “business model is gone”, warns Friedrich Merz
Its probable next leader talks about Ukraine, saving the economy and beating the AfD in an exclusive interview ...
Germany’s Scholz describes Trump’s Gaza proposal as a ‘scandal’ in election debate
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has described President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. could take ownership of the ...
Germany's front-runner Merz: Risk-taker who flirted with far right
Friedrich Merz is a familiar face of his conservative party's old guard. Politically, he has never come across as ...
Chancellor hopeful Merz open to reform of Germany's debt brake
The CDU leader said that Germany may need to loosen its debt limit to finance defence spending, although other solutions ...
Politico Europe2h
The EU must not be a ‘dwarf’ in Washington, says Germany’s likely next chancellor
Friedrich Merz, front-runner to be Germany's next chancellor, warned that Europe must be united in foreign, security and ...
Germany breaks its far-right taboo
An 80-year firewall has been shattered as the centre-right offers to team up with the far-right AfD to pass tougher ...