Is it a smart strategy of the SPD choosing a member of Merkel's administration?

[Middle-aged Europe]

The SPD essentially nominated a Chancellor-candidate for this election because "they had to". I think one of the current co-leaders had originally suggested not to nominate a Chancellor-candidate at all this time around, but that had generated some backlash within the party. The nomination then happened very quick, way in advance of the other (now) two major parties and without much of a debate, discussion, or even a contest. It has must have gone down like this:


Esken or Walter-Borjans: We need a Chancellor-candidate for next year's election. Is propose Olaf Scholz. Any further suggestions?

*silence*

Esken or Walter-Borjans: So is anyone opposed to Olaf Scholz becoming Chancellor-candidate?

*silence*

Esken or Walter-Borjans: Then it is decided. Congratulations, Olaf. Whats's next?

[Middle-aged Europe]

I can say that it is certainly intent and strategy of the Greens to harvest former SPD voters, including older ones. Why do you think they recently introduced legislation to raise the Hartz IV unemployment benefits from the current level of 439 Euro to 603? To troll the SPD who can't possibly pass something like this while being in a coalition with the CDU. Whether and to what extent this strategy will be successful remains to be seen... on September 26, to be precise. It is a bit of a challenge because it is an attempt to acquire new voters who are culturally pretty far away from the more traditional Green voter.