Olaf Scholz pushes to form new German government after close election
- Scholz of the centre-left Social Democrats called for Angela Merkel’s Union bloc to go into opposition after its worst-ever national election result
- But Armin Laschet, the CDU-CSU candidate, is also staking a claim to lead the government through a coalition
Olaf Scholz, the candidate of the centre-left Social Democrats, called for Merkel’s centre-right Union bloc to go into opposition after it saw its worst-ever result in a national election. Both finished with well under 30 per cent of the vote, and that appeared to put the keys to power in the hands of two opposition parties – raising questions over the stability of a future government.
During her 16 years in office, Merkel was seen abroad not just as Germany’s leader but in many ways as the leader of Europe, helping steer the European Union through a series of financial and political crises.
The unclear result combined with an upcoming French presidential election in April creates uncertainty – at least for now – in the two economic and political powers at the centre of the EU, just as the bloc faces a resurgent China and Russia, and increasing questions about its future from populist leaders in eastern countries.
Both outgoing finance minister and Vice-Chancellor Scholz and Armin Laschet, the Union’s candidate and governor of North Rhine-Westphalia state, staked a claim to leading the new government.