New game between the candidates for Angela Merkel's succession during the third and final debate before the general elections in Germany, Sunday September 26.

Olaf Scholz and Armin Laschet, neck and neck in the polls, called Thursday September 23 for a strengthening of the European Union (EU) against China and the United States.

The gap has narrowed further between the Social Democrats (SPD) of Olaf Scholz, slightly in the lead with 25%, and the Christian Democrats (CDU) of Armin Laschet, credited, with 23%, with a historically low score, according to a poll for the public channel ZDF published Thursday evening.

The last debate between the leaders of the seven major parties did not make it possible to see any clearer about the formation of the future team of two or even three parties, which will take over the helm of Germany in the coming months.

But this final televised meeting has nevertheless delivered lessons on the future diplomatic orientations of the leading European economic power, a subject so far little present in the electoral campaign.

A strengthening of the European Union

A consensus thus seems to be forming on the need to strengthen "European sovereignty", terms used by the two favorites.

In a "world that will soon have 10 billion" inhabitants, it is important to shape a "strong European Union, because otherwise we will not play a role", warned Olaf Scholz, current vice-chancellor and possible future head of government .

The great financier of the government Merkel said in particular "to understand the irritation" of France after the cancellation by Australia of an important contract of submarines.

Olaf Scholz also reiterated his attachment to NATO, which the radical left Die Linke rejects, a potential coalition partner.

"We need more Europe, we need to speak with one voice, we need to launch joint projects and weapons projects in order to be able to act once the United States has withdrawn , and it is a task that the next government will have to accomplish, "added his opponent Armin Laschet, who is trying to catch up in the polls.

Key role of environmentalists

This election could deal a blow to the conservatives of Angela Merkel who until now had always collected more than 30% of the votes in the legislative elections.

Their leader has the greatest difficulty following in the footsteps of the ever popular Chancellor. 

Leader of the most populous of German regions, North Rhine-Westphalia (west), this affable but blundering 60-year-old man struggles to convince even in his own camp.

He risks subjecting his camp to a historic defeat, depriving him of the chancellery and, worse, ejecting him from the future government.

Opposite, the Social Democrats have the wind in their sails: after having chained several electoral setbacks in recent years, the SPD has been able to reverse the trend since the start of the year and the inauguration of its 63-year-old candidate, Olaf Scholz , current Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Finance.

Not very charismatic, this supporter of the centrist wing of the Social Democrats has so far carried out a flawless campaign, going so far as to present himself as the true successor of Angela Merkel.

Environmentalists led by Annalena Baerbock, 40, are expected to play a key role in the future government, even if their third place in voting intentions is a disappointment for activists.

The party's co-leader made no secret of her preference for a coalition with the Social Democrats, but her party does not rule out working with the conservatives, as it already does in some German Länder.

Fear of paralysis of Germany

All parties have so far ruled out associating with the far right AfD but another formation, the liberals of the FDP, credited with 12% of the voting intentions, is emerging as a kingmaker.

They could be the backbone of a three-way alliance with environmentalists and conservatives or social democrats.

Coalition options could be numerous and the negotiations last for months, during which Angela Merkel and her ministers will deal with day-to-day business.

This vote is then followed closely, in Europe and in the world, by partners worried about a paralysis of Germany during months of negotiations to form a coalition and the first government of the post-Merkel.

With AFP

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