Her main rival,the SPD’s Martin Schulz, has said 13 May North Rhine-Westphalia vote will show who will triumph in SeptemberAngela Merkel is not taking any chances. Despite being buoyed by the victory of the pro-EU Emmanuel Macron in France, and as well as a surprise win by her Christian Democrats in north Germany the same day,the chancellor is scheduled to form no fewer than four appearances on the campaign trail before another crucial poll in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) this weekend.
The vote is the last test of the nation’s mood before the general election in September, in which Merkel will stand for the fourth time. The 13 million people eligible to cast their poll in Germany’s industrial heartland on 14 May will offer the strongest indication yet as to whether Merkel can win, and whether the rival Social Democrats (SPD) might conclude her 11-year reign. Related: Shake hands and read Goethe: attempt to define German values draws ire Related: The Erdoğan of Downing Street,a Le Pen in No 10: that’s how Merkel sees May | Stephan Richter Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com