MNI BRIEF: Fed's Powell Still Committed To Basel III Endgame

MNI BRIEF: Fed's Hammack Says Rate Hike Not In Base Case

MNI BRIEF: EU's Tusk- States To Consult Wed On Tariff Response

MNI: Fed's Hammack Wants To Hold Rates Steady For Some Time

MNI BRIEF: Brazil's IPCA 4.56% In January As Energy Declines

MNI China Daily Summary: Tuesday, February 11

MNI: US REDBOOK: FEB STORE SALES +5.3% V YR AGO MO

MNI: CANADIAN DEC BUILDING PERMITS +11.0% MOM

US NFIB JAN SMALL BUSINESS INDEX 102.8

GERMANY: Economy Ministry Lowers 2025 Growth Forecast As Expected

MNI EXCLUSIVE: EU-Mercosur Deal Close, But Likely Short-Lived - Officials

GERMANY: Kukies Considers Potential Non-Implementation Of 2024 Suppl' Budget

© 1982-2025 MNI. All rights reserved.
Terms | Privacy
Log Out
Free Trial

GERMANY: Scholz & Merz Clash In Final Pre-Election Bundestag Speeches

GERMANY
Homepagemarkets-real-timePolitical RiskCommoditiesPolitical Risk BulletEnergy BulletsEurozoneGermanyCEEMEABulletPower BulletsMarketsFixed Income BulletsForeign Exchange Bullets

Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his main challenger in the federal election Friedrich Merz have delivered what are likely to be their final speeches to the Bundestag ahead of the 23 Feb vote. Scholz, speaking about EU unity in the wake of the US imposing 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium, said that “One thing is clear above all: in the next few years, more than ever before, it will be important for Europe to stick together,". Scholz reiterated his claim that Merz's recent efforts to tighten Germany's immigration law could break EU law, adding “...what does the German opposition leader do in this situation? In the hope of gaining a few percentage points in the election campaign, he is taking an axe to European cohesion.”

  • After facing criticism from Scholz and protesters about his voting alongside the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in late Jan, Merz chancellor candidate for the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) - repeated his claim that "collaboration with the AfD is out of the question for us", before adding the "next government will have to deliver on migration, economy and security or else…far right AfD Party could soar to new heights."
  • While political attacks are commonplace during election campaigns, the notably bitter relationship between Merz and Scholz could hinder coalition building after the election. The CDU and Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats are seen as very likely to have to work together, potentially with a third party, in order to cross the majority threshold. 
245 words

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his main challenger in the federal election Friedrich Merz have delivered what are likely to be their final speeches to the Bundestag ahead of the 23 Feb vote. Scholz, speaking about EU unity in the wake of the US imposing 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium, said that “One thing is clear above all: in the next few years, more than ever before, it will be important for Europe to stick together,". Scholz reiterated his claim that Merz's recent efforts to tighten Germany's immigration law could break EU law, adding “...what does the German opposition leader do in this situation? In the hope of gaining a few percentage points in the election campaign, he is taking an axe to European cohesion.”

  • After facing criticism from Scholz and protesters about his voting alongside the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in late Jan, Merz chancellor candidate for the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) - repeated his claim that "collaboration with the AfD is out of the question for us", before adding the "next government will have to deliver on migration, economy and security or else…far right AfD Party could soar to new heights."
  • While political attacks are commonplace during election campaigns, the notably bitter relationship between Merz and Scholz could hinder coalition building after the election. The CDU and Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats are seen as very likely to have to work together, potentially with a third party, in order to cross the majority threshold.