Press
Despite the defeat in the European elections, the SPD is sticking with Olaf Scholz as chancellor – even though Boris Pistorius is much more popular.
Berlin – The European elections went anything but well for the Social Democrats. The party received a total of 14 percent. And that despite the fact that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) was seen on several election posters. Or was that exactly the problem? In the polls, Scholz is well behind his Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD). Nevertheless, SPD leader Saskia Esken and Pistorius are supporting their Chancellor.
“It is clear to us that Olaf Scholz is the right candidate for chancellor for the next federal election,” Esken told Funke Media Group on Thursday (June 13). The SPD was also successful in 2021 because people had confidence in Scholz’s leadership abilities. “This confidence has proven true over the past two and a half years in dealing with the corona pandemic and the war in Ukraine,” said Esken. Esken has a clear opinion on Pistorius’ poll ratings: “Boris Pistorius is an excellent defense minister. We would therefore like to see him in this office beyond the federal election.”
Boris Pistorius supports Olaf Scholz because he “knows how it works”
The Minister of Defence himself said something similar. When asked in ZDF-“heute journal”, why Scholz is nevertheless the better chancellor, Pistorius said: “Because he leads our ship calmly and prudently in these times.” Pistorius added: “He is a clever politician and he knows how to do it. So I have no doubt that he will also be our next candidate for chancellor.” In the ARD Tagesthemen The defense minister stressed that he was counting on becoming his own successor. But the alliance between the two North German politicians goes both ways. Scholz also fully supports his unification minister.
The defense minister may also have gained popularity because of his clear words. On Wednesday, he presented a new military service model in Berlin and issued a drastic warning against Russian President Vladimir Putin. An attack by Russia could be just a few years away, as Pistorius confirmed at the press conference. “We have to assume that Russia will be able to attack a NATO state in 2029,” he said.
Boris Pistorius’ popularity could fall again
Pistorius, on the other hand, does not seem to be particularly popular with the Union and his military plans. Union parliamentary group vice-chairman Johann Wadephul described the defense minister’s plans as a missed opportunity. “Instead of a great idea to propose an obligation for women as part of a general military service, he is making a half-baked proposal that does not solve the Bundeswehr’s personnel problems,” said the CDU politician to the German Press Agency.
It is not yet clear how Pistorius’s military policy will affect his poll ratings. It remains to be seen what people – especially young people – will think of the Lower Saxony politician afterward. (ske)
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