German chancellor remains focused on re-election

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz representing the Social Democratic Party (SPD) has stated that he will not serve as vice chancellor.

Scholz noted that he will not serve as vice chancellor if the candidate for chancellor from the opposition conservative bloc, the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), Friedrich Merz, wins the federal elections, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"I wouldn’t do that," Scholz said in an interview with Deutschlandfunk Kultur, responding to the relevant question.

"But I am still fighting to become chancellor again," he added. 

The CDU/CSU's approval rating currently fluctuates between 30-32 per cent, while the SPD stands at 15-17 per cent. Scholz is the candidate from the Social Democrats and Merz's main competitor. Before becoming chancellor, Scholz served as vice chancellor and minister of finance in Angela Merkel's government from 2018 to 2021. 

On December 11, Scholz, in a special statement, announced that, in accordance with Article 68 of the Constitution, he had submitted a request to the president of the Bundestag to put a vote of confidence to the parliament. He noted that this move is intended to clear the way for snap federal elections. The debate on the vote of confidence in the Bundestag is scheduled for December 16. If the Bundestag rejects the Chancellor's confidence, snap parliamentary elections will be held on February 23, 2025.

By Naila Huseynova