German Economy Minister Gabriel clears way for new election challenger to Merkel

by Virginia Carter
in World Media
— Jan 25, 2017

"If I were to stand, I would fail and the SPD would fail with me", Gabriel, who now serves as vice chancellor and economy minister, told Stern magazine.

Gabriel - Economy Minister and leader of the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), who is expected to run against Chancellor Angela Merkel in September's election - said German industry should remain confident in the face of Trump's moves.

Schulz is to take Gabriel's place as party chairman as well.

"We were very surprised, but in the positive sense", Binding said. Social democrats hope that the former President of European Parliament will increase the SPD's votes and will spark the post-Merkel era. Still, if the shakeup improves the party's fortunes, that would open a new front against Merkel, who is already confronting a challenge from the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party over her open-border refugee policy. A member of the European Parliament since 1994, Schulz had served as the mayor of the town of Wuerselen near the French border.

Barely 10 percent of German exports go to the United States, Gabriel said, while 60 percent go to other countries in Europe.

A December poll found that Schulz and Merkel both had approval ratings of 57 percent, dwarfing those of Gabriel.

In an interview with "Stern" magazine, Gabriel reportedly said: "If I was to step forward (for the chancellorship), I would fail and the SPD would fail with me". Steinmeier is due next month to become German president, a mostly ceremonial position.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

RELATED NEWS