In a sudden change of plans, RTL, ntv and the “Stern”magazine have announced their willingness to host a discussion round with the four top candidates from the strongest parties, CDU/CSU, AfD, SPD and the Greens. This decision comes in the wake of the tragic events in Aschaffenburg and the subsequent political developments, which have altered the conditions for a TV debate on February 16. As a result, Olaf Scholz, Friedrich Merz, Alice Weidel and Robert Habeck have been invited to engage in a direct exchange with one another.
The Greens welcomed the decision, stating that it is a positive development that RTL has chosen to invite the candidates from the Greens and AfD, in addition to Scholz and Merz. “It’s good that RTL has reacted and no longer holds fast to a duel between Merz and Scholz”said Andreas Audretsch, the Greens’ campaign manager, in an interview with the “Tagesspiegel”. A duel between the SPD’s Scholz and the CDU’s Merz, he argued, would be a relic of the past and not reflect the current situation.
Audretch also called on the public broadcasters, ARD and ZDF, to reevaluate their concept, stating that they should not deprive the public of a genuine selection, which is not in line with their mandate. “We expect ARD and ZDF to open the debate now and invite Robert Habeck for a fair exchange”he said.
Despite the Greens’ current low ranking in the polls, the party seems to be counting on an upset, with Audretsch telling the “Tagesspiegel”that “the dynamics are great, the election is completely open and everything is possible.