The upcoming early elections to Germany’s parliament will mark a crucial decision on the country’s direction, Chancellor Olaf Scholz told his Social Democratic Party (SPD) at an election campaign conference on Saturday.
“There is a hell of a lot at stake. We are facing a fundamental decision for our country, one way or the other,” Scholz, who is the SPD’s candidate for chancellor in the polls expected in February, said at the event in the party’s Berlin headquarters.
“Now it’s about everything. If we take a wrong turn in Germany now, in this situation, it will have serious consequences.”
Security, cohesion, prosperity and jobs are at stake, Scholz added, stressing that now is the time to resolutely continue Germany’s renewal.
The SPD is fighting for reliable pensions, affordable rents, affordable healthcare and nursing care, said Scholz, sounding optimistic as his party seeks to regain much ground lost in recent months to the centre-right CDU/CSU opposition.
“I know how to campaign. So some people will be quite surprised.”
Following the collapse of Germany’s ruling three-party coalition earlier this month, early elections are planned for February 23, following a vote of confidence in December.
