Germany's Social Democrats win election but uncertainty beckons
Gulf Times
SPD chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz
Germany braced for a period of political unpredictability Monday after the Social Democrats narrowly won a general election but faced a rival claim to power from outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative camp.
For a country synonymous with stability after 16 years of Merkel's steady leadership, the coming weeks and months promise to be a rocky ride as both Finance Minister Olaf Scholz's SPD and the conservatives led by Armin Laschet scramble for coalition partners.
The power struggle risks putting Germany out of play in the international scene for some time, even though the upcoming COP26 climate summit will be demanding action from the world's biggest powers.
Europe's biggest economy will also hold the presidency of the G7 club of rich nations next year, and will need a government capable of setting the international agenda.
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