Olaf Scholz (left), Green leader Annalena Baerbock and Armin Laschet, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) candidate for Chancellor prepare to go head to head in an election TV debate in Berlin . AFP
Olaf Scholz (left), Green leader Annalena Baerbock and Armin Laschet, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) candidate for Chancellor prepare to go head to head in an election TV debate in Berlin . AFP
Olaf Scholz (left), Green leader Annalena Baerbock and Armin Laschet, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) candidate for Chancellor prepare to go head to head in an election TV debate in Berlin . AFP
Olaf Scholz, the Social Democrat candidate running to become Germany’s new leader, has promised “moderate” solutions to fight climate change.
Mr Scholz, the country's current Vice Chancellor, topped opinion polls after a TV showdown at the weekend in which he clashed with the Christian Democrat candidate Armin Laschet and the Greens’ Annalena Baerbock on a wide range of issues.
The debate, described in the German media as “aggressive”, came just two weeks before voters will go to the polls.
“We need to get out of the combustion engine, fossil fuels,” she said.
Ms Baerbock then turned her focus to Mr Laschet, saying: “You always say you don’t like bans but it’s always a driver for innovation.”
Mr Laschet insisted his party was taking the battle against climate change seriously.
"The German auto industry is long since on the path to adjusting,” he said.
He went on to accuse Mr Scholz and Ms Baerbock of trying to hamstring industries, saying: "It won't work with laws, with bans, with regulations, but with a dynamic where everyone is keen to create something new."
A snap poll conducted after the debate showed that Mr Scholz repeated the clear victory he earned in the first debate, with 41 per cent of viewers describing him as the most convincing.
Mr Laschet won 27 per cent of the vote ahead of Ms Baerbock on 25 per cent.
Afghan refugees pictured at Ramstein air base in Germany. The security situation in Afghanistan was among the topics discussed in the election debate. AP
Coalition negotiations after the debate are likely to involve two or three parties and will decide who will be the successor of Angela Merkel, who is standing down after 16 years.
In recent weeks, poll after poll have shown Mr Scholz’s party on the rise while the CDU and the Greens lag behind.
The security situation in Afghanistan was also discussed by the three candidates, weeks after the German government scrambled to get its citizens and vulnerable Afghans out of Kabul.
German troops had earlier withdrawn from the country, along with the US and other allies.
Mr Laschet called the Taliban’s return to power “a disaster for the West, also a disaster for the German government”. He said it was time to create a national security council to improve decision-making in Germany.
Ms Baerbock accused the government of “ducking away” from decisions on rescuing Afghans.
The city of Potsdam, on the outskirts of Berlin, has become an arena for the battle to succeed Mrs Merkel.
Ms Baerbock and Mr Scholz are both running in constituency 61, which includes Potsdam.
The battle marks the first time in German history that two chancellor candidates have gone head-to-head in the same constituency – a far cry from the "safe seat" route often favoured by past political heavyweights.
Because seats in the Bundestag are filled through a combination of direct mandates and party lists, both Mr Scholz and Ms Baerbock could still become MPs even if they lose in Potsdam.
However, winning a direct mandate would be the icing on the cake.
Karl-Rudolf Korte, a professor of politics at the University of Duisburg-Essen, told AFP: "Constituency kings and queens have a special legitimacy in the Bundestag.
"Both candidates have their place secured via the list. Nevertheless, the competition is more than just symbolic."
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
Basquiat in Abu Dhabi
One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier.
It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.
“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October
RESULT
Bayern Munich 3 Chelsea 2
Bayern: Rafinha (6'), Muller (12', 27')
Chelsea: Alonso (45' 3), Batshuayi (85')
How tumultuous protests grew
A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
