author-image
LEADING ARTICLE

Merkel’s Challengers

A revived centre left still lags Germany’s formidable chancellor

The Times

Amid the ructions of Brexit and President Trump, the free world retains a prominent symbol of political continuity. Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, has held office since 2005 and is the longest-serving head of government in the European Union. On current trends, she may remain there.

Mrs Merkel’s centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) strengthened their position in state elections in Saarland yesterday. This was a surprising performance given that the rival Social Democrats (SPD) have surged by ten points in national polls since January, when Martin Schulz, a former president of the European parliament, became the party’s candidate for chancellor. A revival of the SPD’s fortunes nationally is a headache for Mrs Merkel in her attempt to return as chancellor in federal elections on September 24.