Social Democrats candidate for chancellor Olaf Scholz kicks off election campaign

Record ID: 1632102

  • Title: Social Democrats candidate for chancellor Olaf Scholz kicks off election campaign
  • Date: 14th August 2021
  • Summary: BOCHUM, GERMANY (AUGUST 14, 2021) (REUTERS) ELECTION PLACARD SHOWING GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER AND SOCIAL DEMOCRATS' (SPD) CANDIDATE OLAF SCHOLZ / SPD SUPPORTERS AT RALLY
  • Embargoed: 28th August 2021 13:19
  • Keywords: Olaf Scholz SPD Social Democrats election campaign minimum wage national election tax cuts
  • Location: BOCHUM, GERMANY
  • City: BOCHUM, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Europe,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA001EQ93JUV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: German Finance Minister and the Social Democrats' (SPD) candidate for chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said tax cuts for high incomes was immoral during a rally in the western industrial city of Bochum on Saturday (August 14), kicking off his campaign for the September 26 national elections.
    "Some people are of the opinion that people who earn as much as I do or even more need a proper tax cut," said Scholz. "That is not only unaffordable, it is not in solidarity and immoral."
    Scholz attacked the present coalition partner, the Christian Democrats' (CDU/CSU) under German chancellor Angela Merkel, for not dealing efficiently with the current challenges in society and work environment.
    "They know nothing about economics," Scholz said.
    Regarding social policy, Scholz said his party did not support further increase to the retirement age, 67 for men and 65 for women.
    He also emphasised that he would raise the minimum wage to 12 euros "in the first year of my chancellorship".
    The Social Democrats have gained more ground on Merkel's conservatives ahead of September's federal election, two opinion polls on Wednesday (August 11), but they would still need to team up with two other parties to be able to govern.
    The latest Forsa poll for RTL television put support for the Social Democrats (SPD) at 19%, up 3 points since last week and the best result for the centre-left party since 2018.
    Support for the conservatives slipped 3 points to 23%, the Greens were steady on 20% and the business-friendly Free Democrats (FDP) fell a point to 12%. Merkel, in power since 2005, plans to stand down after the election.
    (Production: Andreas Kranz, Petra Wischgoll, Ulrike Heil)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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