The News
Friday 29 of March 2024

Merkel Challenger Advocates Removal of U.S. Nuclear Weapons


Designated chairman and top candidate for the upcoming election Martin Schulz (R), and chairman Sigmar Gabriel (L), arrive for an extraordinary convention of the German Social Democratic party (SPD) in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 19, 2017,photo: AP/Michael Sohn
Designated chairman and top candidate for the upcoming election Martin Schulz (R), and chairman Sigmar Gabriel (L), arrive for an extraordinary convention of the German Social Democratic party (SPD) in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 19, 2017,photo: AP/Michael Sohn
Merkel's bloc currently enjoys a 15 percent lead over Schulz's party

BERLIN – Chancellor Angela Merkel’s main challenger in next month’s election says he would push for the removal of U.S. nuclear weapons from German soil.

The dpa news agency reported Tuesday that Social Democrat Martin Schulz also told supporters in the city of Trier on Tuesday that a government led by him would seek to limit Germany’s own military expenditures.

The news agency quoted Schulz saying: “As chancellor, I will work to ensure that the nuclear weapons stationed in Germany … are removed.”

U.S. President Donald Trump has pressured Germany and other NATO partners to spend more on defense.

But Schulz said: “It can’t be that Germany, without comment and without action, continues to take part in an armament spiral as wanted by Trump.”

Merkel’s bloc currently enjoys a 15 percent lead over Schulz’s party.