Germany Prepares for Bundestag Election Amid Polarized Campaigns and Key TV Debate

Chancellor Olaf Scholz faces challenges from Friedrich Merz and other candidates as final debates highlight migration, economy, and cultural tensions.

The final TV debate between Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Friedrich Merz (CDU) will take place tonight, offering a crucial platform for both candidates ahead of the February 23 Bundestag election.
Key election issues include migration policy, economic reforms, and the preservation of Potsdam's Rechenzentrum, a cultural and creative hub at the center of local debates.
Scholz seeks to defend his record as chancellor, emphasizing economic investments, tax relief, and his handling of crises, while facing criticism for underestimating migration challenges.
Merz and other challengers, including Annalena Baerbock (Greens), Alice Weidel (AfD), and Robert Habeck (Greens), are focusing on contrasting visions for Germany's future, with notable divides on social and economic policies.
Recent violent incidents involving migrants and debates over cultural integration have intensified public discourse, adding pressure on candidates to address security and social cohesion.

Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung

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Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung