The top four contenders for Germany's next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, Olaf Scholz, Robert Habeck, and Alice Weidel, appeared on a live television debate.
Three major contenders for the position of German Chancellor debated each other live on television, just one week before the elections. This is the first time that German voters will see four candidates participating in a televised debate.
A snap federal election was called for February 23 following the collapse of the current coalition government in November of the previous year.
With only seven days remaining, right-wing opposition parties are currently in the lead in the polls, with the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) under Friedrich Merz at approximately 30% and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) under Alice Weidel at around 20%.
Incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left Social Democrats (SPD) are currently polling in third place with 15%, whereas their coalition partners, Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck's Green Party, are trailing behind in fourth place with just over 13%.
During the debate, the candidates discussed their strategies for the German economy and their perspectives on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
While Weidel, who spoke with the vice president on the sidelines of the event, urged for good relations with the Trump administration.
Illegal immigration was also a major topic of discussion during the television debate.
The debate started at 20:15 local time, which is equivalent to 19:00 UTC, and lasted for two hours.
closely followed the debate preceding the German parliamentary election to provide the latest updates, reactions, and fact-checking:
"I think we've had a very good discussion. The coalition negotiations are complex and difficult. I think we've made some progress today, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us. We'll see what the future holds." - Merz
Habeck (Greens): "The situation is too grave and the pressure on Germany too significant for electoral considerations. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm 55 years old and have lived in a country where security and prosperity seemed virtually assured. This assurance is no longer as solid as it once was. After the election, we must work together politically to find solutions collectively. I therefore request that I be allowed to continue serving Germany, so that my children and your children may enjoy the same opportunities that we had in the past."
Merz (CDU): "After February 23rd, February 24th follows and we will have to tackle problems. These include irregular migration and economic stagnation. I want to lead a government that stops bickering with itself, a government that is engaged internationally and ensures that Germany's voice is heard. That can only happen if we're economically robust, when young businesses have a future, when our education policy is improved, and when our country has a stronger voice. That's what I stand for – and absolutely not with the AfD. If you want change, then you'll get that with the CDU."
I'm happy to help, but there is no text provided for me to paraphrase. Please provide the text you would like me to paraphrase.
The order in which the candidates delivered their closing statements was decided by a random draw, and it started with incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Alice Weidel of the far-right AfD.
Scholz (SPD): "I believe this debate has demonstrated that the SPD and the current chancellor should continue into a second term. The focus is on war and peace, European security, and the necessary financing for this, without reducing pensions, healthcare, or infrastructure. We must stimulate investment in Germany and ensure that the country remains united with a higher minimum wage and a more equitable tax system that requires more from those who earn more."
Weidel (AfD): "We aim to make Germany prosperous and secure once more. We will stem illegal immigration by fortifying our borders and expelling those here illegally or who commit crimes. The CDU has also failed to prevent this for years. We have the world's highest energy prices, which we will alter with the aid of new technologies: reliable nuclear power, coal, gas, and also renewable energy sources – but without massive subsidies that harm our country and its taxpayers. Vote for the AfD for genuine political reform."
CDU's Merz considers SPD or Greens as potential coalition partners
The candidate for chancellor from the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Merz, has explicitly stated that her party will not form any alliances with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is currently in second place in the polls ahead of the upcoming election.
He wants us to reach a strategic point where we have two choices, but only need to select one.
He mentioned the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens as potential options.
He expressed "doubts" about the Free Democrats (FDP), a party focused on business, but expressed confidence in holding constructive coalition talks after the election. The FDP often polls below 5% voter support, a threshold required for a party to have a seat in the German parliament, or Bundestag.
I believe the Social Democrats and the Greens have realized they cannot continue as they have in the past," he said. "However, we have a plan for this country: Germany must progress, we need to lift our foot off the brakes.
Robert Habeck, the Green Party's chancellor candidate, said, "We have 130 billionaires, in other words, individuals with a net worth of billions, not millions. They accumulated an additional 28 billion dollars in assets last year."
As of January 2025, there are 130 billionaires in Germany. According to the report, their combined wealth increased by approximately $26.8 billion (€25.5 billion) in 2024. This makes Germany home to the largest number of billionaires, following the USA, China, and India.
There are 132 billionaires and it's stated that there has been a rise of six from the previous year. However, it's noted that, as a group, the Germans have become $59 billion wealthier than they were a year ago.
A monthly business magazine specializing in business, finance, and management has a different take on the number of billionaires. It releases an annual list of Germany's wealthiest individuals and estimates that there were 249 billionaires in Germany in 2024.
Habeck: President Trump has launched a full-scale attack on Western values.
Asked about foreign policy and the recent comments from the new US administration regarding Ukraine, the Greens' Habeck says:
The Trump administration has launched a comprehensive attack on the fundamental principles of the Western world, specifically targeting the values that originated from America and were later adopted by Europe, including the rule of law, liberal democracy, free market economics, and a rules-based international order, which form the bedrock of our political systems.
No wonder they have no difficulty making agreements with Putin, but everyone else should have significant concerns about that.
Habeck states that Trump, Putin, Musk, and others share certain key characteristics: "I have the largest army, so I'll take any land I desire. I'm the wealthiest person, and I want to be even wealthier. I have the strongest market, so I will disregard all market regulations. Europeans, including the next German government, whoever it is, must stand united."
Merz: Putin's war is against the entire post-1991 political order.
Merz of the CDU states that Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine is not only directed at Kyiv but also at the entire Western world, and advises that the threats emanating from Moscow should be taken very seriously.
"He's not just focused on Ukraine; his goal is to revive the Greater Russia he envisions, which could potentially involve parts of the Baltic region and parts of Poland," he says.
Asked if he considers the territory of the former East Germany, as a former part of the Soviet sphere of influence, to be under threat from Putin, Merz responds:
He may not view that region as part of his Greater Russia, but once he commits to that course of action, he won't hesitate to expand his reach as far as possible. He has NATO-protected territories in his crosshairs, and we must be prepared for that.
Merz Criticizes Weidel's Comments on Ukraine
Far-right AfD candidate Weidel has struck a noticeably different tone, saying she "welcomes" the comments made by US Vice President JD Vance in Munich this weekend and describing President Donald Trump as "exactly the right person" to bring about peace in Ukraine.
As for the role of Europe and Germany, she would like to see Berlin take on a "neutral, mediating role" in such disputes, and regrets that "Germany is no longer viewed as neutral by Russia."
Her comments spark outrage from Merz (CDU), who fumes: "Ms. Weidel, you're doing what you always do: refusing to identify the cause of this conflict. Even when repeatedly asked. Russia initiated this conflict. And solely Russia!"
We acknowledge that we're not perceived as neutral by Russia. That's because we're openly supporting Ukraine. We stand up for the values we hold in common. Your comments this evening only reinforce my resolve to ensure you never assume a position of political power in this country.
The claim: By one hundred thousand people in the previous year.
"We are taking all necessary measures to minimize unauthorized migration. As a result, we decreased it by 100,000 last year. Additionally, we aim to decrease it by another 100,000 this year," said Scholz.
Scholz appears to have estimated this reduction by examining asylum applications within the country.
A record 229,751 people applied for asylum in Germany for the first time, according to the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
The number for 2023 was 329,120. This would indeed be a decrease of 100,000 applications.
Irregular migration can also be identified by examining individuals who entered Germany without being authorized to do so.
In this instance, Scholz's calculation would not be exact.
Along the borders of Germany, the number of crossings decreased from 127,549 in 2023 to 83,572 in 2024.
German Finance Minister Scholz describes AfD's budget proposals as 'hot air'
Alice Weidel was given the opportunity to elaborate on the AfD's proposals for increasing government revenue, and she started by reaffirming her commitment to Germany's traditional "debt brake."
Fundamentally, a state must never spend more than it earns, she said. "That's the purpose of the debt brake: to prevent the state from getting into debt. And that's exactly what I and the AfD stand for.
She stated that the AfD plans to make savings by reducing costs related to "combating climate change" – targeting Habeck and the Green Party directly – and "benefits for foreign migrants."
The funds allocated for German taxpayers shouldn't be wasted. If we minimize unnecessary expenses, the federal budget would have more flexibility.
The deindustrialization of this country is already in progress and I haven't heard a single proposal to address it. You've heard my suggestions.
Chancellor Scholz dismissed her plans as poorly thought-through, saying: "We haven't heard anything from you but empty rhetoric."
Habeck bemoans 'distorted' discussion on taxation
As the federal budget continues to face financial constraints, the discussion has shifted to the tax plans proposed by the four candidates.
Scholz (SPD) stated that he earns over €300,000 in gross income as Chancellor and that he therefore "could and should pay more tax. And those who earn millions should pay even more, especially in times when money is scarce."
Habeck (Greens) stated that Germany has a problem with "fairness" regarding taxation. He noted that the affluent, including Germany's 130 billionaires, are becoming wealthier, but this increased wealth is not trickling down to the rest of society.
He claimed it's puzzling to him why there's even a discussion about whether the extremely wealthy should pay more.
What should be the case is the opposite," Habeck asked. "It's the others who should have to explain why they don't want to contribute more. This debate is utterly unfair.
Weidel (AfD) stated that her party supports tax relief for families, but Scholz argued that the AfD's taxation proposals are even more one-sided than those of the business-oriented Free Democrats (FDP).
Friedrich Merz, the CDU/CSU's conservative bloc chancellor candidate, stated, "any man and woman can label Mr Höcke a Nazi without facing repercussions."
He is a member of the AfD, described as a "far-right extremist politician."
In 2019, a German court found that Höcke can be legally referred to as a "fascist," based on verifiable factual evidence. Additionally, he was convicted of using prohibited Nazi slogans in a previous case.
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Björn Höcke has denied adhering to any Nazi ideology.
There have been no court judgments or similar decisions that have explicitly permitted anyone to label Höcke as a Nazi without facing potential consequences.
Weidel advocates for strong relations with Vance, Trump
Alice Weidel responded to a question about JD Vance's visit to Munich, where he reportedly met with her following a contentious speech at the Munich Security Conference.
She stated that her party is open to good relations with the US. Additionally, Weidel expressed her support for Vance's views on freedom of speech and his opposition to "firewalls" in German politics.
She stated her support for the US effort to establish a ceasefire in Ukraine, also expressing that Trump was "the right person" to facilitate an end to the war.
The leader of the Alternative for Germany party stated that she advocates for positive diplomatic ties with China, the United States, and Russia.
"We have friends in both Western and Eastern countries," Weidel said.
Germany's Economic Troubles Face Scrutiny in Debate
The candidates presented their perspectives on Germany's economy and the ongoing problems related to infrastructure and digitalization in the country.
CDU leader Merz stated that the key lies in getting "the monster that is our bureaucracy under control."
Regarding the type of energy Germany should be utilizing, he criticizes the coalition government for shutting down "three perfectly good, functioning nuclear power plants" in the midst of the country's "most severe energy crisis."
We'll only make progress if we specify which energy sources we do want.
Weidel (AfD) also declared her support for "safe and reliable nuclear power, coal and gas, and also, if we want, renewable energies."
She vowed to lead a government that would be receptive to new technologies and opposed to prohibitions.
Every individual should have the right to choose their heating options for their homes and their type of vehicle, and every business should have the freedom to decide on the products they manufacture.
The Greens' Habeck, who has served as Economy Minister in the current government, blamed Germany's "structural economic crisis" on the absence of two key drivers of growth: cheap Russian gas and a shrinking export market.
He pointed out, "It's President Putin who is behind this situation," referring to Germany's shift away from Russian gas following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. "Our previous reliance on Russian gas is what's causing high prices now."
As for exports, he noted that "Germany has already been an export nation" but stated that a shrinking market has been further exacerbated by tariffs imposed by the new US government.
When these two factors are absent, it's clear we've invested too little in becoming more competitive," he concluded. He concurred with Merz that Germany requires "less bureaucracy" and more investment in "infrastructure, trains, bridges, digitalization.
He went back to a previous point and stated that "legal migration will be crucial for that."
German Chancellor Scholz (SPD) also attributed the Ukraine conflict to Russia, but defended the government's response and stated that the period of highest prices has passed.
Merz: "We are not neutral" on Ukraine
AfD leader Alice Weidel criticized the SPD, CDU, and Green parties for their support of Ukraine. She claimed that Germany should remain "neutral" in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Directly accusing CDU's Merz of supporting the shipment of Taurus missiles to Ukraine.
Seeking to send military equipment and possibly even German soldiers to Ukraine.
All parties except the Alternative for Germany (AfD) were in agreement on their support for Ukraine, a stance also echoed by Merz.
We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
Weidel: The comparison to the Nazis is 'scandalous'
SPD leader Olaf Scholz backed CDU leader Merz's rejection of cooperation with the far-right parties.
We have a tradition in Germany of not engaging with the far right because we've learned from the lessons of the national socialism era. There's a reason the symbols of the far right are prohibited in Germany, and that's how it should remain. I'm unequivocal, there can be no collaboration with the far right. That's why I'm so troubled that the CDU has already attempted to pass a motion through parliament with the support of the AfD.
The leader of the AfD rejected the accusation.
"That comparison is scandalous and I strongly reject it on behalf of my party. By making such a statement, you are offending millions of people who support us. We are a conservative and peaceful party," Weidel said.
Merz stated that Weidel plans to include Björn Höcke in a potential cabinet, a member of the AfD who has been legally defined as a fascist by German courts. "This reveals your true nature," he says. "You represent an extremist party."
Weidel refused to denounce or dissociate herself from comments made by former AfD leader and current honorary chairman Alexander Gauland that the Nazi period (1933-1945) was "just a minor blip in over one thousand years of successful German history."