— How stupid can you be?” he asked Olaf Scholz at 1 point, attacking Friedrich Merz for his promise return of asylum seekers on the German border. As he argued, this would violate EU law and divide Europe at a time erstwhile Germany needs European solidarity to counter Trump's tariff threats.
However, erstwhile Scholz stated that his government had successfully dealt with abuses in the asylum system, Merz did not owe him: “You don’t seem to live on this planet. What you're saying is simply a fairy tale.
The clash occurred against the background of a political storm linked to Merza's decision, which tried to usage utmost right-wing voices alternate to Germany to push hard anti-immigration proposals in the Bundestag. This decision weakened the long-time German ‘fire dam’ against the far right, existing since planet War II.
Scholz utilized this controversy to inform that Merz normalizes the far right. “I am seriously afraid that after the election you will consider the AfD coalition,” he said.
Merz denied the allegations that Chadecs would cooperate with the AfD or form a coalition with this party: “I will say this again, very clearly and very clearly, besides to those who may want otherwise: there will be no cooperation.
In the further part of the debate, Merz blamed Scholz's leftist government for allowing rapid increase in AfD support in polls, calling the organization "a serious threat to our democracy". “There has been no majority for left-wing politics in this country for a long time,” he stressed.
The Social Democratic organization of Germany Scholza ranks 3rd in the polls, far besides Merza chadekami. This debate was so 1 of the Chancellor's last chances of a fundamental change in race dynamics. Both leaders clashed in peculiar in terms of Economic and budgetary policy, while Merz advocated extended taxation cuts and greater fiscal discipline, Scholz presented specified a policy as favouring the rich.
For his part, Merz characterized Scholz's economical governance as disastrous, blaming the current chancellor for the deindustrialization of the country.
— I didn't invade Ukraine, I didn't halt the gas supply. Putin, explains Scholz, blameing external factors.
— That's why, for God's sake, You've eliminated atomic power?," said Merz, criticizing Scholz's decision to shut down 3 power plants. The Chancellor replied that re-launching the reactors — an option that the Chadeci announced would cost EUR 40 billion (about PLN 167 billion).
Berlin is afraid of Donald Trump's politics
However, 1 of the most inflammatory points of the evening afraid how to deal with the possible Trade war with the US. Scholz argued that Merza's migration policy would undermine Europe's solidarity needed to defy Trump.
— Is Mr Merz truly proposing that the largest country in Europe, in its midst, violate European law? — If we shortly gotta trust on Europe as a whole, if we receive a tariff policy from the American government, which will frequently be directed against Germany and which we can reject only together? What Mr. Merz proposes is contrary to German interests.
In the following part of the debate, both leaders were asked whether the European Union should respond to Trump's tariff threats by akin measures. They both suggested that Europe is ready to take countermeasures.
“The tariffs are surely an instrument,” said Merz, referring to 2018 erstwhile the then president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker reached an agreement with Trump halting plans to introduce fresh customs against the EU.
EPA/SHAWN THEW/ PAPDonald Trump, president of the United States, signs executive regulations. Washington, February 4, 2025.
— Strong Europeans, strong response. Let us talk to the Americans on equal terms and let them know clearly what is possible and what is not," said Merz, summarizing his approach to contacts with the fresh US administration.
— We are prepared for this, declared Scholz, suggesting that Europe already has a circumstantial consequence plan. “So the answer is: with the top diplomatic caution we can act as the European Union soon.
However, both leaders gave unclear answers to the question of how to deal more with Trump. - It is. predictable “Merz said about Trump. “We request a common European strategy here, a common position... If I were elected, I would invest quite a few time and effort in creating this European unity.
Scholz said he had already presented his strategy for Trump, which means "clear words and friendly conversations".
