German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed confidence in his re-election prospects for 2025, despite recent poor polling numbers and election setbacks for his Social Democratic Party (SPD). Scholz stated, ‘I reckon that the SPD and I will get a strong mandate in 2025, so that we can lead the next government’. This comes after the SPD’s poor performance in recent state elections, including a record low of 6.1% in Thuringia.Scholz emphasized the need for pragmatism and realism in politics, saying, ‘We need to formulate realistic ideas on how Germany can move forward’. He also criticized the public appearance of his coalition government, noting that many decisions were made amidst ‘hectic public debate’. Scholz expressed dissatisfaction with media coverage, stating, ‘Too often, only the question of who is behaving badly is reported, who looks good, or who formulates cleverly. We are not making a new episode of ‘Good Times, Bad Times’ here, it’s about politics’.Meanwhile, the German Industry Association (BDI) is calling for reforms in response to what it sees as deteriorating economic conditions in Germany. BDI President Siegfried Russwurm criticized ‘very high energy prices in international comparison, excessive bureaucracy, high taxes, and an insufficient and sometimes unreliable public infrastructure’. Russwurm emphasized that ‘fundamental conditions in Germany have worsened recently. This creates greater problems in individual markets and market segments than in others’.As Germany grapples with these political and economic challenges, the upcoming 2025 federal election is shaping up to be a critical juncture for the nation’s future direction.
Key points
- Chancellor Olaf Scholz expresses confidence in re-election for 2025 despite poor polling numbers.
- German Industry Association (BDI) calls for economic reforms, citing deteriorating conditions in Germany.
- SPD faces challenges after poor performance in recent state elections, including a record low in Thuringia.
Contradictions👾While Scholz expresses confidence in re-election, the SPD’s poor performance in recent state elections and low polling numbers suggest potential challenges.
👾Scholz criticizes media coverage and coalition’s public image, yet aims to lead the next government.
