The federal elections this Sunday seem to be marking the end of a long and storied political career for Olaf Scholz, who has held numerous positions, including general secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Minister of Labor, mayor-governor of Hamburg, Minister of Finance, Vice Chancellor, and finally, Chancellor. Throughout his trajectory, Scholz has often had to navigate against the current.
Despite the SPD remaining in the government as a minority partner in a grand coalition with the conservative CDU/CSU, Scholz has made it clear that he is not willing to share the Council of Ministers with Friedrich Merz. As the leader of the SPD, Scholz is often seen as the heir to former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s political legacy. However, he has struggled to assert himself in disputes between his coalition, liberal, and green partners. This internal discord has been on full display for the population, resulting in a perceived paralysis that has hindered the government’s ability to make timely decisions in the face of pressing challenges such as the Ukraine War, economic management, and climate change.
Scholz, however, has not given up, even when faced with internal pressure from within the SPD to step aside. He remains convinced that he can turn around the party’s fortunes, just as he did in the summer of 2021. Yet, the current polling suggests that he may lead the SPD to its worst result in the party’s centennial history. “I have already won several elections in my political life, although the surveys did not suggest it,” Scholz insists, referencing the 2021 elections that gave the Social Democrats their best electoral result since 2005.
At 67 years old, Scholz is now advocating for an increase in pensions and salaries, while also defending the implementation of a cap on new rental prices. Additionally, he has stated that while relations with the US have been a “life insurance for Germany for decades,” it is essential to reject any potential interference from Washington in internal German issues.
Early Life and Career
Scholz is often described as a policy bottom runner. Born in Osnabrück, Saxony, he joined the SPD in 1975 and has been a deputy in the Bundestag since 1998. He is associated with the moderate and centrist wing of the party, which has been instrumental in shaping Germany’s economic decline. The reforms, which aimed to reduce the generosity of the welfare state, led to a divorce between the SPD and the labor vote, resulting in the party losing half of its voters over twenty years.
Challenges as Chancellor
Without charisma or a natural gift for leadership, Scholz has relied on his management of the economic consequences of the pandemic as his strongest suit. Nevertheless, his slow action in the government has weighed heavily on his balance as Federal Chancellor. As the elections approach, it remains to be seen whether Scholz can turn the tide and lead the SPD to a better-than-expected result, or if his career as Chancellor will come to a close.
