On Sunday, at an extraordinary conference of the Social Democrats (SPD) in Berlin, Schulz was formally made party chief and named the SPD candidate in the coming election, winning 100 percent of the vote. [...]
The goodwill among the party faithful follows a wave of good news that is known as the “Schulz effect” among Social Democrats in the German capital: Less than eight weeks after it was announced that Schulz rather than Gabriel would challenge Merkel, the SPD have gained more than 10 percent in polls, coming within striking distance of the chancellorship. [...]
Schulz offered a glimpse of how he wants to present himself as a candidate: Pro-EU, taking a clear stand against nationalism and populism, and showing respect for his political opponents. In short: to campaign as the anti-Trump. [...]
Schulz is a more emotive speaker than Merkel and often brings up his own back story to connect with voters. On Sunday, he spoke at length about his upbringing as “the fifth child of simple and very decent people.” He spoke about overcoming an alcohol problem — and how the party saved him. “I had lost my direction in life and my life was about to go off course. But then, I got a second chance … thanks to the [SPD youth organization] Jusos in my hometown.”
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