People and Politics # Taking up the Challenge - Frank-Walter Steinmeier Vying for the Job of Chancellor # 25.09.2009

Germany's Social Democrats are in the doldrums. Never have the SPD's poll ratings been so low shortly before national elections. Their candidate for chancellor, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who has often been seen as a grey technocrat, has been unable to significantly boost the party's popularity. Only about 25 percent of the population say they would vote for the SPD if elections were held today. But the SPD has kept up its mantra that it is aiming for a role in government not the opposition. We take a look at the Social Democrats in Germany, whose candidate for chancellor is thought to have little chance of gaining office.