Germany. Merkel’s SPD Rivals Make Election Pledge to Keep Pensions Stable

BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) unveiled plans on Wednesday to keep pensions stable and cap contributions in an effort to win over voters in a September election and unseat conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel who is seeking a fourth term.

The center-left SPD, junior party in Merkel’s current right-left coalition, hopes its pension plans will help put the issue of social justice at the heart of the election, though it has not weighed very heavily so far among voters.

The SPD has lost the momentum it gained after first nominating former European Parliament chief Martin Schulz in January as its candidate for chancellor to run against Merkel. A poll on Wednesday showed the conservatives’ lead over the SPD had widened to 15 points.

 

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