Germany’s two leading candidates for chancellor have called for a stronger EU than China and the United States
Europe needs to be more independent in the field of security policy. This was announced during a televised election debate by the candidates for German chancellor. In particular, Angela Merkel’s two favorites to succeed Angela Merchet and Olaf Scholz have called for a stronger EU than China and the United States.
The candidate of the German Social Democratic Party and current Minister of Finance Scholz called on Germany, together with France, to make sure that Europe can move forward. “We need a strong and sovereign Europe, that is our serious task,” he said. “In a world of 10 billion people soon, it is important to create a stronger EU, because otherwise we will not have a role,” he added.
The candidate of the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union, Armin Laschet, reminded that the whole EU is watching the pre-election battle in Germany and is waiting for the formation of a new government. He also stressed the need for a more sovereign and stronger Europe. “We need to speak a common language,” Lachet added, referring to the EU. “We need to start joint projects and armaments projects in order to be able to act after the United States withdraws, and that is a task that the next German government must fulfill,” he stressed.
Green candidate Analena Burbock has called for a unified European policy towards China. And the candidate of the Free Democratic Party, Christian Lindner, stressed the need to strengthen relations with the United States, which he said was an indispensable partner for Berlin.
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Last debate before the election of candidates for Chancellor of Germany
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During the debate, Armin Lashet expressed support for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, but called for guarantees for the transit of natural gas through Ukraine, because otherwise the project must be stopped. He called for the pipeline to be put into operation, but stressed that geopolitical guarantees are needed that it will not become a problem for Ukraine. “If Russia questions this, the project will be stopped immediately,” Lashet said.
Scholz reaffirmed his commitment to NATO and expressed understanding with France’s anger following Australia’s cancellation of the French submarine treaty.
On the issue of budgetary and fiscal policy, Lachet assured that he does not want tax increases and that he wants to keep the budget rules. Christian Lindner strongly supported him, adding that he would prefer to reduce subsidies, for example for electric cars. Scholz stressed the need for investment, and Burbock said fiscal rules needed to be relaxed enough, especially in the field of ecology.
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The candidates remained silent on who would be their preferred coalition partner. Stoltz said he would not agree with some of the more radical policies of the Left, such as the withdrawal of Germany from NATO. Lindner, meanwhile, said there was a great deal of policy overlap between his party and the Conservatives.
Candidates from the seven leading German parties took part in the 90-minute debate. “When everyone is talking, no one is saying anything,” SPIEGEL summed up the dispute.
According to a poll conducted by Zet De F TV last night, support for the Social Democrat Scholz is 25 percent, and that for Lashet is 23 percent, which is historically low for a Conservative candidate.
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