Media: Trump's return to power could bolster Scholz's re-election bid

The potential return of Donald Trump to the White House could significantly impact Germany's political landscape, providing an unexpected boost to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's re-election prospects while presenting challenges for Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and candidate for chancellor from the CDU/CSU bloc.

Advisors to Merz are reportedly concerned that Trump’s inauguration on January 20 may shift the trajectory of Germany's upcoming election, Caliber.Az reports via Bloomberg.

They fear it could solidify Scholz’s image as a staunch defender of democratic values in contrast to the U.S. president’s controversial rhetoric. This concern is especially evident following Scholz’s speech at the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) congress in Berlin on Saturday, where he positioned himself as a guardian of democratic principles in the face of Trump’s provocations.

In particular, Scholz responded to Trump's remarks about Greenland, emphasizing that “borders should be inviolable” and asserting that “no country is the backyard of another.” His comments resonated with those seeking to preserve Western values, reinforcing his standing as a defender of European sovereignty.

Meanwhile, both the SPD and CDU are facing growing anxiety due to the rising popularity of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, led by Alice Weidel. This surge has been exacerbated by high-profile endorsements, including support from tech magnate Elon Musk.

A recent online exchange between Musk and Weidel on X (formerly Twitter) garnered substantial media attention, drawing focus away from the CDU's election narrative and raising alarms within Merz’s camp.

By Khagan Isayev