The recent history of the Bayern SPD is one of decline.
The party shrank into single digits.
In the federal election campaign, it suddenly experienced a turnaround.
And Olaf Scholz, recently still unrecognized in the city, is cheered at Marienplatz.
Munich
- The development is a little absurd: At the beginning of July, Olaf Scholz was just a few hundred meters away at the “Sedlmayr”.
Right on the Viktualienmarkt, next to Dieter Reiter on the sidewalk.
The passers-by were very enthusiastic.
"Man Dieter", one after the other greeted the mayor.
Scholz sat next to him like the intern while the mayor held court.
The candidate for chancellor was not recognized - or ignored.
Two and a half months later, Scholz is the superstar of the comrades.
The Social Democrats go wild when their hero takes the stage on Marienplatz on Saturday.
"The future Chancellor of the Federal Republic," announced SPD General Secretary Lars Klingbeil.
And OB Reiter calls out to thousands of Munich residents: “Olaf Scholz can do it!
He knows how to rule. "
In the polls, the SPD is ahead
One more week.
There is euphoria in the air, the comrades whistle and cheer as if the choice has been made.
The new Insa survey sees the SPD at 26 percent - five points above the Union, eleven above the Greens.
Klingbeil even has to dampen the cheers: If you lead in the 85th minute of football, you don't break off the game triumphantly.
"You try everything to score another goal."
But Olaf Scholz doesn't seem like a striker.
His tactic is rather: stay focused, don't do anything wrong now, time game.
“I will fight for a society of respect,” he says soberly.
One hand casually in his trouser pocket, the other clenched into a fist, woodenly swinging along with every syllable.
No new promises: Scholz sticks to his strategy
For the most part, Scholz presents what has been said many times during the election campaign - no new promises, instead his points should be anchored in the minds of the voters. “Children must not grow up in poverty,” he says, which is why a new child benefit is needed. "I guarantee: There will be no further increase in the retirement age." With him as Chancellor, the pension level will remain stable. The minimum wage will be raised to twelve euros, "that is the first thing I stand up for". Ten million people then earned more. And of course the SPD would “set the pace” so that Germany would become climate neutral in 25 years.
His promises cross his lips like a rehearsed mantra.
Little emotional, but that's part of the strategy.
Scholz wants to score with competence and objectivity.
Stand out from Armin Laschet, who, as Klingbeil remembers the crowd, was recently upset during a TV interview with two children.
"I wonder how he will then face Erdogan, Putin or Biden," teased the SPD general.
The SPD has traditionally had a difficult time in Bavaria
The day in Bavaria is important for Scholz. There is much to be gained in the Free State, the country with the second most voters (it is no coincidence that the Union is planning its big final rally with Laschet and Merkel on Friday in Munich). In the end, however, things did not go well for the comrades. Even if an SPD-OB rules in the city - the Social Democrats always had a difficult time in the federal elections. And in the meantime, in the polls for the state elections, they have almost plunged into the abyss. In the single digits, eight percent, the SPD was still six months ago in the Free State, far behind the Greens.
Scholz is now emphasizing his five-point plan for living in Munich. “We have a problem with a lack of affordable living space,” he says, and it hits a nerve, especially in Munich. As Chancellor, he promises to have at least 400,000 apartments built annually, 100,000 of which are social housing. “Life must remain affordable.” The people of Munich applaud.
