Exit polls made clear on Sunday that incumbent German Chancellor Angela Merkel would be continuing her role in the office for a third term. While the spotlight is currently focused on Merkel as she prepares for next term, let’s take a look back at the campaign between Merkel, the candidate of the Christian Democratic Union, or CDU, and her closest rival Peer Steinbrueck, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, or SPD.
At the time of this article’s publication, Merkel’s CDU/Christian Social Union coalition had about 41.7 percent of the vote, while Steinbrueck’s SPD had about 25.6 percent of the vote, according to the Guardian.
While Steinbrueck was Merkel’s closest rival, his campaign was marred after a photograph of himself extending a middle finger toward a camera was featured on the front page of the German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung. The cover was featured on multiple German newspapers after its initial publication, causing additional controversy for the SPD candidate.
Take a look back at Merkel’s and Steinbrueck’s campaigns in the photos here.
German Chancellor Merkel waves after giving speech during CDU election campaign rally in BerlinReutersA security officer of Germany's Federal Police watches the crowd as Steinbrueck of the Social Democratic Party addresses an election campaign rally in EssenReutersGerman Chancellor Merkel stands on stage with members of her campaign team at CDU election campaign rally in StralsundReutersPeople watch a TV duel of German Chancellor Merkel of the CDU with her challenger, the top candidate of the SPD in the upcoming German general elections Steinbrueck, in a restaurant in BerlinReutersThe controversial studio photo of Social Democratic Party candidate, Peer Steinbrueck, that appeared on the front page of German magazine, Sueddeutsche ZeitungSueddeutsche ZeitungCombination picture shows German Chancellor Merkel wearing jackets of differing colours while attending various public eventsReutersSPD top-candidate Steinbrueck reacts during town-hall style election rally event at Alexanderplatz in BerlinReutersElection campaign posters of the top candidate of the Social Democratic Party Steinbrueck and German Chancellor and head of the Christian Democratic Union party Merkel are pictured in BerlinReutersSteinbrueck top candidate of SPD casts ballot in German general election at polling station in BonnReutersGerman Chancellor Merkel casts her ballot during the German general election (Bundestagswahl) at a polling station in BerlinReutersSPD top candidate Steinbrueck acknowledges applause as he speaks after the first exit polls in the German general election (Bundestagswahl) at the party headquarters in BerlinReutersSteinbrueck, top candidate of the SPD in the German general election Bundestagswahl adjusts his glasses at the party headquarters after first exit polls in BerlinReutersGerman Labour Minister Von der Leyen German Chancellor Merkel and CDU party secretary general Groehe celebrate after German general election in BerlinReutersGerman politicians Riexinger, Steinbrueck, Hasselfeldt, Chancellor Merkel and Trittin pose after a TV discussion regarding the German general election (Bundestagswahl) results, at the ZDF studios in BerlinReutersGerman Chancellor Merkel celebrates after German general election at CDU headquarters in BerlinReuters
