'Honeymoon is over' SDP launches desperate bid to topple Merkel
GETTY The Social Democrats have launched a desperate bid to topple Angela Merkel as German election nears
Social Democratic Party (SPD) chief Thomas Opperman claimed Angela Merkel has jeopardised her own chances as she aims to remain in power, adding the Chancellor has relied heavily on emulating the policies of former leader Gerhard Schröder. Announcing a tougher stance for his party in the weeks ahead, Thomas Opperman said: "The honeymoon period for Frau Merkel is over.” In an interview with German paper Tagesspiegel he said until polls opened on September 24, the SPD would continue to confront Mrs Merkel "day in and day out with the challenges and problems of our country, but also with the opportunities it has lost."
According to her critics, Mrs Merkel has relied heavily on the country’s economic success that was borne from the reforms of former Federal chancellor Gerhard Schröder. Mr Oppermann claims under Mr Schröder, Germany became an economically fit state. But he said under Mrs Merkel’s control, there have been only problems. He said: “The country lives on the substance, our prosperity is at stake, because Merkel has no plan for the future.” Mrs Merkel, however, claims the country’s prosperous days have in fact come under her watch. Citing her success in the employment sector, she said this was down to the introduction of the minimum wage by the grand coalition, along with fresh guidelines for temporary workers - usually a winning area for the Social Democrats.
GETTY Angela Merkel is aiming for a fourth term in office
When launching her election campaign, Mrs Merkel said: “The minimum wage has brought many people more security. “Social market management always needs political intervention.” However, it is on foreign policy that the SPD feels her downfall may be on the cards. Mr Oppermann has called on Mrs Merkel for a more resolute response to the war rhetoric loudly pushed by President Trump, especially on North Korean matters. He said: “We expect the German government to take a clear position not only against North Korea, but also against Donald Trump.”
The many faces of Angela Merkel Wed, May 17, 2017 German Chancellor, Angela Merkel through the years Play slideshow 1 of 16
According to the SPD politician, the US president’s words are continuing to fan the flames of conflict with the hermit nation, adding: "This escalation is a serious threat, Trump literally plays with fire." Mr Oppermann used his election campaign to heap further criticism on statements, or the lack of, made by the Chancellor, citing her responses as “inadequate”. He added: “The world may be facing nuclear war, but the Chancellor has been silent for days on end before she has uttered two dull sentences. “Merkel now had to clearly tell Trump that there would be no support from the Federal Republic for nuclear preventive action by the USA against North Korea. “Trump must know that Germany expects the US to contain the conflict with diplomatic means ‘in close cooperation with China and Russia in the World Security Council.’ “In addition, the Chancellor had to make it clear to the US President that, in the event of a North Korean attack on the US base of Guam in the Pacific, the assistance obligation under the NATO Treaty did not apply. "The attitude of the SPD is clear: Germany will in no circumstances participate in such a military confrontation with North Korea."
GETTY Martin Schulz, Angela Merkel's main rival, is polling at below 25 per cent