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Merkel squares up to Schulz in rival's last-ditch bid to save campaign Merkel squares up to Schulz in rival's last-ditch bid to save campaign
(about 2 hours later)
Angela Merkel will face off with her fiery challenger, Martin Schulz, in a television debate being billed as her Social Democrat rival’s last chance at saving his election campaign. Angela Merkel is to face off against Martin Schulz in a television debate being billed as her Social Democrat rival’s last chance at saving his election campaign.
Over 90 minutes, Schulz – who has accused the chancellor of lulling voters to sleep by offering noncommittal responses – will get to spar with her in their sole televised one-on-one before Germans head to the polls on 24 September. Schulz, who has accused the chancellor of lulling voters to sleep by offering noncommittal responses, will spar with her over 90 minutes in their only televised one-on-one before Germans vote on 24 September.
With almost one in two voters still undecided, the straight-talking Schulz is pinning his hopes on the primetime showdown, hoping to sway millions to his cause and halt a devastating popularity slide. With many voters still undecided, Schulz is pinning his hopes on the primetime showdown, hoping to sway millions to his cause and halt a devastating slide in his popularity.
A former European parliament chief, Schulz enjoyed a surge in support shortly after taking the helm of the SPD in January, only to see that initial excitement fade away. The former European parliament chief enjoyed a surge in support shortly after taking the helm of the SPD in January, only to see the initial excitement fade away.
A poll published on Friday showed Merkel’s CDU party and its Bavarian CSU allies commanding a strong 17-point lead over the SPD. A poll published on Friday showed Merkel’s CDU party and its Bavarian CSU allies commanding a 17-point lead over the SPD.
Sunday evening’s encounter will be above all a clash of personalities – an illustration in the Die Zeit newspaper showed Schulz, holding a saw and dressed in workman’s overalls, trying to dismantle the throne of a regal “Queen Merkel”. Sunday evening’s encounter will be above all a clash of personalities – an illustration in the newspaper Die Zeit showed Schulz dressed in workman’s overalls, holding a saw and trying to dismantle the throne of a regal “Queen Merkel”.
Despite his uphill battle, Schulz has voiced confidence, saying he is not nervous about Sunday’s clash. Merkel, who has mostly avoided referring to Schulz or any other election candidate by name, has so far refused to be drawn into a combative debate. Schulz has has said is not nervous about Sunday’s clash. Merkel, who has mostly avoided referring to Schulz or any other candidate by name, has so far refused to be drawn into a combative debate.
“If an election campaign is defined as good only when people insult each other, then that’s not my idea of what an election campaign is about,” she said at her annual summer press conference.“If an election campaign is defined as good only when people insult each other, then that’s not my idea of what an election campaign is about,” she said at her annual summer press conference.
Her attitude has led German media to dub Schulz “a shadow-boxer” for his frustrated attempts to engage her. Her attitude has led German media to dub Schulz a shadow-boxerfor his frustrated attempts to engage her.
A highlight of Germany’s electoral campaign season, the TV debate is expected to draw almost 30 million viewers – or about half of the electorate, according to a poll by research firm Forsa, commissioned by Stern magazine. The TV debate is expected to draw almost 30 million viewers or about half of the electorate, according to a poll by research firm Forsa, commissioned by Stern magazine.
Crucially, one in five who plan to tune in also said the debate could swing their vote, the survey found.Crucially, one in five who plan to tune in also said the debate could swing their vote, the survey found.
The two candidates will discuss topics given to them by four seasoned TV presenters, but beyond the content of the debate they will be scrutinised for their body language. The two candidates will discuss topics given to them by four presenters, and beyond the content of the debate they will be scrutinised for their body language.
Days before the event, the chancellery was accused of rigging the format in Merkel’s favour by threatening to stay away after the broadcasters proposed changes aimed at fostering more spontaneity and a deeper debate.Days before the event, the chancellery was accused of rigging the format in Merkel’s favour by threatening to stay away after the broadcasters proposed changes aimed at fostering more spontaneity and a deeper debate.
Defending her office, Merkel told Spiegel magazine that while she respected press freedom, “a politician should also be free to decide whether he or she accepts an invitation to appear on a programme”.Defending her office, Merkel told Spiegel magazine that while she respected press freedom, “a politician should also be free to decide whether he or she accepts an invitation to appear on a programme”.
“The TV duel format, like spontaneity and eloquence, is not quite Merkel’s strength,” Manfred Guellner, the Forsa CEO, told the business newspaper Handelsblatt, adding that “Schulz can benefit” from appearing on the show. Forsa’s CEO, Manfred Guellner, told the business newspaper Handelsblatt: “The TV du el format, like spontaneity and eloquence, is not quite Merkel’s strength.” Schultz could benefit from appearing on the show, he said.
Underlining a tough battle ahead, a poll published late on Thursday by public broadcaster ARD found that 64% of those surveyed believed that Merkel would prevail, while only 17% believed Schulz would win the debate. A poll published late on Thursday by the public broadcaster ARD found that 64% of those surveyed believed that Merkel would prevail, while only 17% believed Schulz would win the debate.