Growing discontent within Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) is challenging Olaf Scholz’s potential bid for a second term, Bild reports.
The strongest opposition comes from North Rhine-Westphalia, where influential party leaders such as Dirk Wiese and Wiebke Esdar have endorsed Defense Minister Boris Pistorius as an alternative candidate.
Pistorius’s popularity far surpasses that of Scholz and his main rival, Friedrich Merz from the CDU. Tensions have escalated following the recent dismissal of Finance Minister Christian Lindner, a move that triggered a government crisis.
As a result of the political rift, early elections are expected, tentatively scheduled for February 23, 2024. To remain in power, Scholz must seek a vote of confidence in the Bundestag this December. However, many experts view this scenario as unlikely due to widespread support for early elections.
