Olaf Scholz Nominated for February Elections

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been unanimously nominated as the Social Democrats' (SPD) top candidate for early elections scheduled for February, following the collapse of his three-party coalition in November. The SPD leadership's support comes after Defence Minister Boris Pistorius declined to run, solidifying Scholz's position despite significant challenges, including low approval ratings and a strong lead for opposition parties in polls. Scholz is criticized as a weak candidate and is regarded as the face of a troubled government. The SPD is currently polling around 15%, while the conservative CDU/CSU stands at 33% and the far-right AfD at 18%. In his campaign, Scholz is focusing on military support for Ukraine, advocating for cautious engagement amid rising tensions. His prior electoral success in 2021 gives him a glimmer of hope as he attempts to rally his party and the electorate.