The gallop of Olaf Scholz if it continues over the coming weeks and gives him the first place in the election of the Social Democrats in the 26 September elections will overturn two myths.

The first is that this is the swan song of the centre-left. The second is that its co-existence with the centre-right will be its undoing.

German opinion polls indicate that the Social Democracy has ideas, that citizens are ready to listen, and that if it is credible citizens are willing to give it a try.

The German finance minister has ideas. For example, he wants to build more homes in order to stem rent hikes.

He wants stricter measures to manage climate change. He also wants to increase the minimum wage from 9.6 to 12 euros per hour, and he knows very well where to find the funds for his proposals to be implemented. Hence he is credible, and as he himself says he is a liberal, not stupid.

The prospect of the 63-year-old Scholz becoming Chancellor will not be an upset for the political scene. It is characteristic that the SPD candidate favours a return to putting a brake on debt and placing a limit on state spending.

He will certainly renew the political scene, especially if the Christian Democrats remain outside the government. Renewal always benefits democracy.

This eventuality will also demonstrate that the crucial precondition for the Left to succeed is not radicalisation or an anti-system stance.

It is seriousness.

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