Pistorius, much more popular among voters than the heavily criticized Scholz, said on Sunday evening on TV that he supports Scholz and that the question of his name is not current, according to Tagesschau.
Not an absolute no
According to Pistorius, the crisis-ridden SPD does not need a struggle over chancellor candidates. But what he said is seen, according to German media, not as an absolute no.
Since the German coalition government with SPD, The Green Party, and the liberal FDP in practice broke down when Scholz fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP), the government power will be decided in two steps. A vote of confidence will be held on December 16 in the Bundestag. If Scholz loses, new elections will be held on February 23.
Even though the leadership of the German Social Democrats says they stand behind letting Scholz continue, he has not been formally nominated as a chancellor candidate yet. On January 11, the SPD will have a party conference and nominate a candidate.
Rumors are spreading
Municipal politicians Joe Weingarten from Rheinland-Pfalz and Johannes Arlt from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern openly advocate for Pistorius.
The SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil says that there are some in the party who are whispering about running with Scholz again.
It's clear there's a debate, I'd be lying if I said anything else, says Klingbeil.
But for him, there is no doubt.
We're going forward with Olaf Scholz in the election campaign.
