Contenders in Germany's general election made a final appeal to voters on Saturday, opposition leader and leader Friedrich Merz vowed to restore a stagnant economy and defend European interests, facing The United States confrontational government.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Olaf Scholz insists that he still hopes for a last-minute comeback.
After focusing on Europe's biggest economy and calls to curb immigration, the Germans will elect a new parliament on Sunday, while uncertainty quickly develops the future of Ukraine and the strength of the European and American alliance.
It doesn't seem to do anything about shifting the party's position in the polls. They always show the opposition on the central right, the main challenger of Melz's alliance group. This is the far-right, anti-immigrant alternative to Germany, the strongest result of a far-right party since World War II, but no other party wants to government with it.
After the Prime Minister's trilateral coalition collapsed in November, Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats showed little signs, and there was little sign. This led to the election being held seven months ahead of schedule.
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At a closing rally at the Munich Hall, Meers told supporters: “Three years of opposition is enough.”
Germany is a traditional leader in the 27-inch EU and the group's most populous member, but just like those in recent months of unstable domestically, so is the heavyweight France. “With me, Germany will make another strong voice in the EU,” Meers said.
“Europe must be a player, don't ask to sit at the side table,” he said. “No, we must sit at the main table; and, we must safeguard our interests to Russia, China, and if necessary, with The United States is related.”
“Anyone who treats dwarves as dwarves is considered a dwarves and sent home as a dwarves,” Melz added.
“But if… we finally overcome the country's economic weaknesses, we will only gain respect in the EU again,” he said. He said that was “the vast majority of it is homemade.”
Melz also highlighted his call for stronger stance on immigration, which has caused friction in recent weeks. Last month, he filed a non-conjugation motion calling for more immigrants to return to parliament on the German border. The motion was helped by the vote of the German alternative, the first vote in Germany after the war, prompting opponents to accuse Meers of breaking the taboo. He refused to criticize.
“In no case, we will discuss any negotiations and do not mind negotiations or involvement with the AFD in the government,” Melz said Saturday.
During an event held by Potsdam, whom he represented in parliament, Scholz once again expressed doubts about Merz's reliability and portrayed his party as the strongest fortress against the AFD.
“Anyone who wants to make sure that this will not happen must ensure there are strong Social Democrats and they can offer the next prime minister,” Melz said.
Scholz said in a look at the early events of Potsdam that he was “convinced that many people would only make decisions at the polling station this time.”
“I don't believe in miracles, but win in the election,” the German news agency DPA reported.
If Merz does win, it is unclear whether he can form a bipartisan coalition or whether he needs a third partner, a more awkward prospect.
“If we are in power, we need very few partners, nor countless partners,” said senior conservative ally Ally Markus Söder in Munich.
& Copy 2025 Canadian Press
