The leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), Lars Klingbeil, has accused the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of hiding their chancellor candidate, Friedrich Merz, during the election campaign. According to Klingbeil, Merz is a “candidate who is still in a winter slumber” suggesting that the CDU is not showcasing their leader enough.
Klingbeil expressed the impression that the CDU is hiding Merz, saying, “One gets the impression that they are afraid of what he might say. They are afraid of people getting to know Friedrich Merz.” He believes that it would be detrimental for the CDU if more people were to get to know Merz.
The SPD leader also criticized the CDU’s election strategy, labeling it as populist. “From Monday to Wednesday, they present populist demands on the backs of the unemployed” Klingbeil said. “And from Thursday to Saturday, it’s about migrants and migration. That’s their election strategy. It’s not about substance.