Germany’s Schulz steps up attacks on Merkel

Bloomberg

Angela Merkel’s main challenger, Martin Schulz, sharpened his attack against the German chancellor less than five weeks before the election as his Social Democrats struggle to narrow the gap in polls that give her a dominant advantage.
Laying out his pitch in the northern German city of Bremen, where the Social Democrats have governed since 1945, Schulz called for greater social equality, slammed US President Donald Trump and pledged greater public investment. The rally of over 1,000 SPD supporters was the first of at least 40 stops across the country before the Sept. 24 election.
“It’s being written and projected that the election is already done,” Schulz told the crowd. “But I tell you: polls are not results. You have the choice between a chancellor who avoids every debate about the future and somebody who tells you what he wants.”
The Social Democratic leader toughened his criticism of Merkel, accusing her Christian Democratic-led faction — and the chancellor personally — of blocking tightened rent regulations and refusing to address the gender pay gap. He attacked her for failing to shore up public pensions, “a declaration of war against an entire generation.”
Flanked by three state leaders from his party, Schulz sought to rally the base as he embarks on a cross-country tour, mostly in German cities where his party can count
on support.