Applicants for the German elections launched their last calls to voters on Saturday, with the leader of the opposition and the leading front, Friedrich Merz, promising to rekindle the stagnant economy and defend the interests of Europe in front of a Conflictual American administration.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, meanwhile, insisted that he is still hoping for a last -minute improbable return.
The Germans elect a new parliament on Sunday after a campaign focused on the greatest economy in the state of Europe and the calls to curb migration, while uncertainty developed quickly on the future of Ukraine and the strength of the European Alliance with the United States.
It seems to have done little to move the position of the parts in the polls. They have always shown the central right opposition, the main union of the Challenger Merz Union, in mind. It is an alternative to the far right and anti-immigration for Germany, which is on the right track for the strongest result for a far-right party since the Second World War, but N ‘ has no other party willing to enter the government with him.
Scholz center-democrats have shown that few signs of returning a large survey deficit after the Chancellor’s triple coalition collapsed in November following a long-standing argument on the way of revitalizing the economy. This led to the election of elections seven months before the scheduled date.
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During a closing rally in a Munich beer room, Merz told supporters that “three years of opposition are enough”.
Germany is a traditional EU leader of 27 nations and the most populous member of the block, but like its heavyweight colleague, France has been consumed in recent months by domestic instability. Merz said that with me, Germany will again have a strong voice in the European Union. “”
“Europe must be a player and may not ask to get a seat at an extra table,” he said. “No, we have to sit at the main table; And we must protect our interests against Russia, against China, and if necessary also with regard to America. »»
“Anyone who appears there as a dwarf is treated like a dwarf and sent home like a dwarf,” added Merz.
However, he said that “we will only gain respect in this European Union if … we finally surmount the economic weakness of our country”. He said it was “massively house”.
Merz has also underlined his calls to a more difficult position on migration, which has created friction in recent weeks. Last month, he brought a non -binding motion calling for many other migrants to be returned to German borders in Parliament. The motion was approved thanks to the votes of alternative for Germany, or AFD – a first in post -war Germany which prompted the opponents of accusing Merz of having broken a taboo. He rejects criticism.
“We will in no case discuss talks, not to mention negotiations or participation in the government, with AFD,” Merz said on Saturday.
During an event in Potsdam, which he represents in Parliament, Scholz again questioned the reliability of Merz and described his group as the strongest rampart against AFD playing a role.
“Whoever wants to be sure that this does not happen must make sure that there are strong social democrats and that he can provide the next chancellor,” said Merz.
On the sidelines of an event before Potsdam, Scholz said that he was “convinced that this time, many people will only make their decision at the polling station”.
“I do not believe in miracles, but in an electoral victory,” he said, the German news agency DPA.
If Merz wins, it is not clear if it will be able to create a bipartite coalition or need a third partner, a more embarrassing perspective.
“If we govern, we need few partners and not an endless number,” said the main conservative ally Markus Söder in Munich.
& Copy 2025 the Canadian press
