Elections

Scholz Fails to Land Decisive Blow in German Election TV Debate

Journalists watch the televised debate between Olaf Scholz and Friedrich Merz in Berlin, on Feb. 9.
Photographer: Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance/Getty Images

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By Michael Nienaber and Arne Delfs

February 9, 2025 at 4:37 PM EST

Updated on

February 10, 2025 at 12:24 AM EST

Chancellor Olaf Scholz struggled to land the decisive blow he urgently needs on conservative frontrunner Friedrich Merz in the first of two televised debates ahead of Germany’s snap election in two weeks.

In the 90-minute duel Sunday, both Social Democrat Scholz and Merz, who heads the poll-leading CDU/CSU alliance, argued they’re best placed to restore Europe’s biggest economy to meaningful growth while keeping the far-right Alternative for Germany party at bay with a strong stance on irregular migration and domestic security.