Merkel judged loser in TV election duel with Steinmeier (Roundup)

Sep 13, 2009, 21:54 GMT

A TV grab off German ARD television channel showing German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) seen during the tv-debate with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Foreign Minister and candidate for Chancellor of Social Democratic Party (SPD), at a studio in Berlin-Adlershof, Germany, 13 September 2009. Four major German tv stations, ARD, ZDF, RTL und Sat.1 will jointly broadcast the debate. German Bundestag elections are held on 27 September 09. The live 90-minute TV duel, broadcast during prime viewing time on four channels, is the only occasion when Merkel and Steinmeier meet head-on to debate election pledges, before the September 27 poll. EPA/ARD / HO COLOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Christian Democrats (CDU) was considered the loser in initial polls after a TV duel Sunday with Social Democratic (SPD) challenger Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Two weeks before the general election, surveys commissioned by state broadcasters ARD and ZDF found a majority of respondents said Vice-Chancellor Steinmeier had responded better than Merkel to questions posed by a panel of four journalists.

However, 48 per cent of those asked told the ZDF pollsters there was no real winner in the debate, screened live during prime viewing time.

Both Merkel and Steinmeier recognized the achievements of the grand coalition of CDU and SPD during the last four years but clashed over proposals to overcome the current economic crisis.

Steinmeier immediately took the offensive in the live, 90-minute debate, in which the candidates were given 90 seconds to answer each question.

'There is a better alternative, namely me,' the SPD front man said, in response to the question why Merkel should not remain chancellor.

Much of the debate focused on ways out of the economic crisis. Merkel argued in favour of tax cuts to pave the way out of the crisis by stimulating demand, thus creating jobs.

'Growth creates work,' Merkel said, citing the credo underlying the CDU's alignment with the free-market liberal Free Democrats (FDP) as its ideal coalition partner.

Steinmeier, on the other hand, questioned the notion that tax cuts could help counter the deficits in state coffers.

The vice chancellor spoke in favour of a minimum wage, to which Merkel countered that forcing employers to pay a minimum salary would lead to job losses.

Steinmeier called for a limit on managers' salaries and bonus payments. 'Our weapons are too blunt,' he said, calling for a 'sharpening' of government tools to cap managers' pay.

Meanwhile, Merkel emphasised her work on the international stage, proposing a charter of sustainable economic growth as well as discussions on penalties as well as bonuses for executives.

Merkel stressed the role of the state as 'custodian of order,' adding that this had been 'grossly neglected' on the international stage.

Steinmeier called for the introduction of a financial tax, which would make those responsible for the financial crisis contribute toward its costs. Merkel countered: 'I believe certain things can only be done internationally.'

The SPD candidate called for a complete withdrawal from nuclear energy, while Merkel said that atomic power provided a 'bridging solution' as part of an energy mix.

Merkel and Steinmeier jointly defended the government's rescue package for Opel and the sale of Opel to Canadian-Austrian car parts manufacturer Magna, agreed last week after months of negotiations.

However, Steinmeier said that a CDU-FDP government coalition, as pursued by Merkel, would have spelt the end for the carmaker.

'Imagine, black-yellow had governed - then Opel would be dead as a mouse today,' the SPD chancellor said, in reference to the colours of CDU and FDP.

In a battle of buzzwords, Merkel stressed the importance of the CDU concept of a 'social market economy,' while Steinmeier said Germany needed a stronger 'social democracy.'

The candidates voiced broad agreement on Germany's military presence in Afghanistan, arguing against a premature withdrawal of troops. Steinmeier said conditions to begin withdrawing should be in place by 2013.

Both leaders appeared soberly dressed, Merkel in a navy blue trouser suit and Steinmeier in an anthracite suit with a red tie.

Some commentators argued that the real winners of the evening were the four journalists firing questions at the two chancellor candidates, who at one point were described as an 'old married couple.'

'It was a duel between four journalists and two politicians,' TV presenter Heiner Bremer remarked.

Recent opinion polls have shown 36 per cent ratings for the CDU, while the SPD is languishing at 23 per cent.

The German general election takes place on September 27.