Merkel challenger tries to calm storm over east German jibe


  • World
  • Sunday, 11 Aug 2013

Peer Steinbrueck, the Social Democratic party (SPD) candidate in the upcoming general elections, talks to tourists with a microphone from the bridge of a boat, during a harbour trip in Warnemuende, August 9, 2013. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor candidate Peer Steinbrueck travelled to eastern Germany on Saturday to try to calm a storm over his recent comments suggesting opponent Angela Merkel lacked passion for Europe because she grew up in the former communist East.

The Social Democrat (SPD) trails Merkel's conservatives by some 15 points in opinion polls with just six weeks left until a German election, and has been searching desperately for issues that might help him narrow the gap.

Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM5/month

Billed as RM5/month for the 1st 6 months then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In World

Sixteen dead, 28 missing after boat capsizes off Djibouti coast - U.N. agency
India's Modi calls rivals pro-Muslim as election campaign changes tack
Russia to step up strikes on Western weapons in Ukraine
Judge to consider gag order violations in Trump hush money trial
Azerbaijan asks World Court to move forward with Armenia discrimination case
TikTok risks fines as EU issues ultimatum over app launch
TikTok’s crackdown on Ozempic influencers threatens weight-loss drug hype machine
Russia's Belgorod region says 120 civilians killed by Ukraine strikes since 2022
Migrants drown in Channel, Sunak says nothing will stop Rwanda policy
Tesla layoffs draw suit claiming not enough warning for workers

Others Also Read