(Adnkronos) – The outgoing German Chancellor, the Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, will face his main contender in the upcoming early elections, the Union candidate (CDU/CSU) Friedrich Merz, in at least two televised debates before the vote, which is expected to be held on February 23. Public broadcasters ZDF and ARD have scheduled one for February 9, while the private broadcaster RTL, together with the weekly magazine Stern, have invited the candidates to a debate on February 16.
The public networks are also planning a debate between the Green and AfD candidates, and RTL has announced that it is in contact with the chancellor and leading candidates from other parties on further debate formats. BSW, the Alliance named after the founder of the newborn movement, Sahra Wagenknecht, announced yesterday that the party leader will in turn run for chancellor.
