Scholz Runs Again

Fresh elections in Germany are set for February 23. Amid a heated contest for the candidacy, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz narrowly survived an internal power struggle this week. Despite his record-low popularity, he plans to seek reelection.

Germany’s most popular politician, Boris Pistorius, announced yesterday that he would not challenge Scholz for his position as chancellor candidate for the Social Democratic Party.

Race of the unpopular: The latest Infratest Dimap survey on behalf of ard, Tagesthemen and Welt revealed who Germans consider to be “a good chancellor candidate”:

• Boris Pistorius, Social Democrat: 61 percent
• Friedrich Merz, Christian Democrat: 42 percent
• Robert Habeck, Green: 34 percent
• Alice Weidel, Alternative für Deutschland: 30 percent
• Olaf Scholz, Social Democrat: 20 percent

Der Spiegel summed up the findings in its headline: “Decision for the SPD: Perhaps the Weakest Candidate of All Time.”

Desire for change: Since Pistorius has decided not to run, Germans can again expect unpopular leaders to form an even more unpopular coalition after the next election. As the disappointment in the political system grows, expect the desire for change to rise.

Learn more: Read “Germany Heads for Leaderless Chaos.”