Germany: last big debate between candidates for Angela Merkel's succession
The candidates for the German parliamentary elections during the last televised debate in Berlin on September 23, 2021. AP - Tobias Schwarz
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
Three days before the election, a televised debate brought together this Thursday evening, September 23, on the two German public channels, the leaders of the seven parties represented in the outgoing Parliament.
The latest polls show the SPD led by Finance Minister Olaf Scholz still in the lead, but closely followed by the Christian Democrats and their candidate Armin Laschet.
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After three debates which opposed the only candidates for the chancellery, the circle widened and new subjects were put on the table, reports our correspondent in Berlin,
Pascal Thibaut
.
Among them, housing and tensions in the real estate market, an issue that worries many Germans.
Unsurprisingly, everyone wants to build more.
Foreign policy, largely absent from other debates, was also discussed.
The two possible chancellors, Armin Laschet and Olaf Scholz, have very similar positions on Europe.
Critics of the Die Linke party against NATO and external interventions have once again shown the difficulties of an alliance of the three leftist formations, once again denounced by the conservative candidate Laschet.
►
See also: Germany: environmental activists hope for a coalition with the SPD
Scholz unclear about his future alliances
His opponent, the Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, again preferred to remain vague on his future alliances and pleaded for his chapel.
“
Those who want me to lead the next government should vote for the SPD.
"
The green candidate Annalena Baerbock, for her part, logically highlighted the rupture that she wants to embody by presenting herself as the one who wants a profound change in the fight against global warming.
“
Another 17 years for electricity produced with coal will not bring Germany closer to climate neutrality and secure the future of our children and grandchildren.
"
►
To listen: Ecology at the helm?
"Jamaican Coalition"
The neck and neck between conservatives and social democrats in the polls give significant weight to the liberal FDP party, which can be the kingmaker.
Its president Christian Lindner reiterated his preferences for an alliance with the CDU and the Greens.
“
The most important convergences lie in a Jamaican coalition
” - the flag of this Caribbean island state has the same colors as the three parties.
But the liberals could also serve as a back-up force for the SPD and the Greens.
The ballot is more open than ever.
► To listen: The challenges awaiting Angela Merkel's successor
Legislative in Germany: the combative posture of Annalena Baerbock (Greens) despite unfavorable polls
With our special
correspondent in Potsdam,
Julien Méchaussie
It is the home stretch of parliamentary elections in Germany. There are only 48 hours left for the candidates to convince before the ballot which will determine the name of the next, or the next chancellor. This Thursday, September 23, Annalena Baerbock, the candidate for the Greens, held her penultimate meeting in Potsdam, on the outskirts of Berlin.
You shouldn't be late for the old market square.
Annalena Baerbock plays at home.
Outgoing member of the constituency, she immediately spoke: “
All our forces for climate protection.
"A combative posture for the home stretch, like Leonie, a member of the youth of the party:"
We are at more than 16% in the polls, so we will at least double our score from 4 years ago , it's huge.
Even if that will surely not be enough, I will fight to the end to see Annalena in the Chancellery.
"
"
Impose our policy
"
If the atmosphere is good, the ambitions for spring have been revised downwards.
The Greens are now aiming for a coalition with the Social Democrats.
“
The SPD does not yet go far enough in terms of climate protection,”
emphasizes Carolin Herrmann, president of the local Greens section.
We therefore need the highest possible score in order to weigh in a possible coalition so that we can impose our policy.
"
No time to dwell on questions from the audience.
Annalena Baerbock apologizes: the last big televised debate is already waiting for her.
Listen to Franziska Keller, co-chair of the Greens parliamentary group in the European Parliament
Julien Mechaussie
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