Can Martin Schulz beat Angela Merkel?

Angela Merkel has steered Germany through various crises over her 12 years in office, and was on course to add another four after the forthcoming elections in September 2017. But former European Parliament President Martin Schulz has now put such certainties in doubt. His party, the Social Democrats (SPD), has closed a large 15 point gap with Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) in a matter of weeks, with both major parties now polling in the low 30s. Moreover, Germans prefer Schulz to Merkel as chancellor by 50 to 34 per cent, according to a recent poll. A Schulz government could well be leading the country by the end of 2017.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Merkel vs Schulz: The return of the left-right divide or just another boring German election campaign? http://www.europeansources.info/record/merkel-vs-schulz-the-return-of-the-left-right-divide-or-just-another-boring-german-election-campaign/

ESO: Background information: Poll shows 'reds and greens' could oust Merkel's conservatives / Merkel or Schulz - who will win? http://www.europeansources.info/record/poll-shows-reds-and-greens-could-oust-merkels-conservatives-merkel-or-schulz-who-will-win/

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