Angela Merkel turned against her party and gave a boost to the Social Democrats by congratulating her former minister Olaf Scholes

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday congratulated Social Democrat Olaf Scholes on her victory in the legislative elections., At the same time a Alliance between center-left, Greens and Liberals.

Chancellor, getting ready He is retiring from politics after 16 years of rule, On Sunday he spoke in a short statement for the first time since the historic failure of his creation.

Greeted Olaf Scholes, The center-left leader and vice-president of the outgoing government, for “his victory” in the legislative elections The Social Democratic Party (SPD) was slightly ahead of the conservative CDU / CSU unionWith 25.7% of the vote.

These greetings were sent On Monday, the day after the election, his press office said.

This Wednesday Armin Lashett also greeted him, According to anonymous sources in his party. But Lashet still wants to form a government, backed by liberals and Greens.

Under pressure

From the elections, Criticism is growing among conservatives for their leader’s stubbornness in wanting to lead a coalitionThe center-right is in second place, with 24.1% of the vote, and almost with a margin 9 points compared to 2017.

Merkel took her distance on Wednesday, The infamous Lashet was already more or less abandoned by his Bavarian allies.

“Olaf Scholes has the best chance of becoming president at this time, obviously.”Said its chairman Marcus Soder. But Lashet, from Rhineland, known for his resilience, did not want to back down.

On Tuesday, at a meeting of his parliamentary committee, He apologized for the disappointing election result, but at the same time reaffirmed that “no one has the right to declare themselves the main winner”., According to several German media outlets.

More and more visitors They suspect it will last a long time.

“I don’t think Armin Lachet will survive this week,” he said. Said the FDP’s vice president Wolfgang Kubiki. “The pressure is mounting,” he said.

For its part, The Social Democrats reiterated their call to quickly form an alliance with the Greens and the FDP, Who received 14.8% and 11.5% of the vote, respectively.

Both federations need to be “cautious enough to accept our opportunity to start research negotiations as soon as possible” in the coalition vision.Rolf Metznich, who was re-elected Wednesday as chairman of the SPD parliamentary committee, said.

Overcome differences

Leaders The most influential Greens and FDPs in government formation., Then with a view to negotiating with the CDU or, most likely with the SPD.

The meeting is immortalized by a selfie posted on Instagram, Among the four participants were co-chairs of environmental activists Robert Hapek and Annalena Barbach, FDP Christian Linder and his general secretary Volker Weissing.

The message is clear: They feel capable of “overcoming their differences” especially in matters of budget and finance.

The Liberals oppose the re-establishment of the tax on big fortunes Protected by greenery, but also SPD.

This first official contact will be followed by another Big meeting on Friday, Announced two small parties. And Sunday The First negotiations, with the Conservative Union and the SPD.

The Liberals try not to express their preferences. Although they are ideologically closer to the center right

Opposite Annalena Barbach. “We have a clear agreement to renew our country,” he said Wednesday, so the Greens gave priority to talks with the FDP and SPD “first.”

(Isabelle Lay Page – AFP)

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