Germany’s Scholz Faces Dwindling Support Within Own Party

Some SPD members want Pistorius to be candidate for chancellor
Social Democrats will decide who to run with in January

Olaf Scholz addresses the Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, on Nov. 13.Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

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By Michael Nienaber and Laura Malsch

November 16, 2024 at 4:46 PM UTC

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Support for Chancellor Olaf Scholz to lead Germany’s Social Democrats into an early election is starting to crumble within his own ranks, according to people familiar with the situation.

Some party members would rather see Defense Minister Boris Pistorius spearheading the party’s campaign ahead of a national poll on Feb. 23, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private conversations.