Friedrich Merz and Olaf Scholz have agreed on an early election date of February 23, 2025, but the two main adversaries in German politics will meet again on Wednesday in the Bundestag to begin their next duel for the chancellorship. The former, leader of the CDU, is the favorite in the polls, but remains less popular than his party. And in the event of victory, the conservative leader will probably have to make room for the latter in his coalition.

The Chancellor heads a shadow government which he himself dissolved, but remains confident of victory. “ I am firmly convinced that Olaf Scholz has done good for this country over the past three years. “, the influential leader of the SPD group in the Bundestag, Rolf Mützenich. The outcome of the battle will depend “ the confidence, competence, experience and emotions that the chancellor will be able to convey to people “, predicts this influential parliamentarian