Germany

Merkel holds her ground in TV debate

Article published on the 2009-09-14 Latest update 2009-09-14 10:05 TU

Angela Merkel (g) and Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin, 13 September 2009.
(Photo: Reuters)

Going in with a big lead in the polls, Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel defended her record well during a debate on Sunday evening against her sitting Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Coming out of the debate, a poll conducted by ARD television in Germany found that voters preferred Merkel over Steinmeier 53 per cent to 38 per cent.

Despite sparring on a national minimum wage and nuclear power, the debate devolved into a dry exchange of views, prompting one of the four moderators to complain at one point: "This is not a duel, this is a duet."

Steinmeier of the Social Democrat (SPD) Party, has been in a coalition government with the Christian Democrats (CDU) with Merkel at the helm for the last four years.

While the usually conservative Steinmeier was quite lively and spirited, the knockout blow that his supporters were waiting for never came.

Asked why he did not think Merkel should be re-elected as chancellor, Steinmeier said: "Because there is a better alternative, namely me."