FEARS FOR MERKEL: Schulz makes radical welfare pledge in bid to seize victory in Germany
ANGELA Merkel’s main political rival Martin Schulz has vowed to extend benefits for the unemployed if he wins Germany’s general election later this year.
Germany's SDP pick Martin Schulz to challenge Angela Merkel
His Social Democrats (SPD) party enjoyed a surge in support after picking the former European Parliament president as its candidate in January but trailed Mrs Merkel in the latest polls.
The party is keen to emphasise its left-wing roots as an alternative to Mrs Merkel’s ruling conservative Christian DemocratsChristian Social Union and position itself as a defender of social justice.
Mr Schulz has already pledged to campaign against precarious employment arrangements and blames Mrs Merkel for rising inequality in Germany.
SPD Labour Minister Andrea Nahles said the party wanted to spend around £860 million extending the duration of unemployment benefits for those who attend vocational training, and would double the value of property that unemployed people can own while still qualifying for welfare support, once their unemployment benefit ends.
Martin SchulzAngela Merkel
One major hurdle facing the SPD is the fact that it introduced many of the labour market rules it now opposes.
A so-called “Agenda 2010” package to deregulate the labour market and reform social security was implemented by former leader Gerhard Schröder in 2003 when many of Germany’s more lavish social benefits were axed.
Mr Schulz has tried to distance himself from Agenda 2010 in the past and admitted: “We too have made mistakes. But there’s nothing wrong with correcting mistakes.”
Ms Nahles insisted the latest changes were “a development of what was presented with the Agenda 2010 and are perfectly normal”.
Ironically, Mrs Merkel is now defending Mr Schröder’s reforms and says they are part of the reason behind Germany’s current prosperity.
An Emnid poll for the Bild am Sonntag newspaper showed Mrs Merkel a single point ahead of the SPD on 33 per cent.
Martin Schulz with SPD labour minister Andrea Nahles
SPD Labour Minister Andrea Nahles said the party wanted to spend around £860 million extending the duration of unemployment benefits for those who attend vocational training, and would double the value of property that unemployed people can own while still qualifying for welfare support, once their unemployment benefit ends.
One major hurdle facing the SPD is the fact that it introduced many of the labour market rules it now opposes.
Martin Schulz has distanced himself from reforms introduced by his party in 2003
We too have made mistakes. But there’s nothing wrong with correcting mistakes
A so-called “Agenda 2010” package to deregulate the labour market and reform social security was implemented by former leader Gerhard Schröder in 2003 when many of Germany’s more lavish social benefits were axed.
Mr Schulz has tried to distance himself from Agenda 2010 in the past and admitted: “We too have made mistakes. But there’s nothing wrong with correcting mistakes.”
Ms Nahles insisted the latest changes were “a development of what was presented with the Agenda 2010 and are perfectly normal”.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has ended up defending measures introduced by the SPD
Ironically, Mrs Merkel is now defending Mr Schröder’s reforms and says they are part of the reason behind Germany’s current prosperity.
An Emnid poll for the Bild am Sonntag newspaper showed Mrs Merkel a single point ahead of the SPD on 33 per cent.