, Columnist
Germany’s Coalition Politics Could Go Far Left and Far Wrong
For the sake of Germany, Europe and himself, Social-Democratic front-runner Olaf Scholz must rule out one combination of partnerships.
Laschet, Baerbock and Scholz: the truel begins.
Photographer: Michael Kappeler/AFP via Getty Images
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In contrast to the personality-driven American presidential system, German parliamentary democracy isn’t suited for televised duels between the candidates. And yet, in an otherwise banal campaign ahead of the federal election on Sep. 26, what other kind of spectacle is there?
So the three candidates to succeed Angela Merkel as German chancellor dutifully showed up on Sunday for the first of three duels, which the German media has punnily coined “truels.”