The resignation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz after just one term could serve as a warning for left-leaning parties worldwide.
According to The New Statesman, the reasons for this downfall are more complex than mere power dynamics. Germany is on the brink of an economic crisis, and the pre-election atmosphere is becoming increasingly tense. Snap elections in the country are scheduled for February 23, and the future of the SPD appears bleak.
Scholz, who was elected Chancellor in 2021 amid a wave of change following 16 years of Angela Merkel's leadership, resembles British Labour leader Keir Starmer: both have bet on progressive policies.
Scholz's coalition actively supported the EU's "Green Deal," which required automotive companies to reduce CO2 emissions and transition to electric vehicles. This led to increased costs for businesses already suffering from stringent bureaucracy and rising taxes. However, the worst for Scholz came after his failure to accurately assess the energy situation. Dependence on Russian gas and the abandonment of nuclear energy turned out to be significant mistakes that hindered Germany's economic development.
The internal struggle within the SPD over a potential replacement for Scholz with Boris Pistorius has only added chaos to the fractured coalition. It is predicted that even after the upcoming elections, Scholz or his party are unlikely to regain their political capital. In the near future, Friedrich Merz from the CDU is likely to become the next Chancellor, but even he will face the same economic and political challenges as his predecessor.
Source: newstatesman.