Merkel’s SPD rivals rally in search of German election rebound

DORTMUND/BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) Germany Social Democrats (SPD) rallied behind Canada Goose Jackets their leader on Sunday, agreeing policies on investment, social justice and Europe that they hope will reverse a slump in opinion polls and end Angela Merkel 12 year hold on power in a September vote.

German Chancellor candidate Martin Schulz buy canada goose jacket cheap of Canada Goose Parka the Social Democratic party (SPD) canada goose uk outlet poses with party’s board members Thomas Oppermann, Katarina Barley, Hubertus Heil and Manuela Schwesig during the party convention in Dortmund, Germany, June 25, 2017. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay

The SPD surged in the polls after naming Schulz as leader in late January, overtaking Merkel conservatives in some, but those gains have now evaporated and the party is struggling to regain momentum.

An Emnid poll on Sunday showed Merkel conservatives widening their lead to 15 points.

In an 80 minute speech before the party agreed its policy manifesto, Schulz, a former president of the European Parliament, was most passionate on Europe.

The chances of denying Merkel a fourth term look slim for the SPD, who are currently junior partners in her right left coalition, but some Canada Goose Outlet have been inspired by the resurgence by Britain Labour party under Jeremy Corbyn in a June 8 vote.

we can learn from the British is that we won let ourselves be depressed by Canada Goose Online polls. We will fight for our own convictions, SPD General Secretary Hubertus Heil told Reuters.

Like Corbyn, Schulz has succeeded to some extent in appealing to younger voters. Some 40 percent of members who have joined since Schulz nomination are under canada goose clearance sale 35, says Jusos, the youth branch of the SPD.

A combination picture shows Chancellor candidate Martin Schulz of the Social Democratic party SPD addressing the SPD party convention in Dortmund, canada goose factory sale Germany, June 25, 2017. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay

Despite a roller coaster few cheap canada goose uk months, delegates of all ages said they felt energised by Schulz.

Schulz spoke in a very committed way, very inspiring, delegate Frank Boermann from Berlin told canada goose coats on sale Reuters. managed to lift the party again.

But the reality of having lost power in two state elections and failing to win in a third this year has knocked morale despite the cheers and red flags emblazoned canadagooseoutlete with buy canada goose jacket for Martin Schulz slogans evident in Dortmund on Sunday.

With a sharp fall in canada goose store the number of refugees arriving in Germany, many voters have forgiven Merkel for her open canada goose clearance door migrant policy and uk canada goose see her as a safe pair of Canada Goose sale hands.

To have any chance of winning in September, the SPD needs to mobilise traditional supporters, who have either not voted or shifted allegiance in the past few years.

To that end, Schulz has canada goose focused cheap Canada Goose much of his campaign on social justice. He wants to reduce taxes for low and middle canadian goose jacket earners, keep pensions stable, extend free education and invest more in canada goose coats infrastructure.

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He won a standing ovation for saying he would 2018 Canada Goose not canada goose uk shop sign a coalition Canada Goose online deal unless it included a commitment to gay marriage.

He has, however, Canada Goose Coats On Sale disappointed some on the left by refusing to commit to a wealth tax. To defuse an embarrassing showdown on Sunday, the party canada goose uk black friday is appointing a commission to look into it.

The SPD even wheeled out ex chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, the last Social Democrat to lead Germany, to boost morale. He said canada goose black friday sale they could still win and reminded them of the SPD fightback to run Merkel close in uk canada goose outlet the 2005 election the last one he fought.

Additional reporting by Thorsten Severin; writing by Madeline Chambers; editing by Mark Heinrich and Adrian Croft.