Merkel’s SPD rivals rally in search of German election rebound | Reuters

By Holger Hansen and Madeline Chambers | DORTMUND/BERLIN, Germany DORTMUND/BERLIN, Germany Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) rallied behind their leader on Sunday, agreeing policies on investment, social justice and Europe that they hope will reverse a slump in opinion polls and end Angela Merkel's 12-year hold on power in a September vote.At a 'feel-good' party conference, leader Martin Schulz accused Merkel of silencing debate on issues like pensions and failing to stand up to the United States.The SPD surged in the polls after naming Schulz as leader in late January, overtaking Merkel's conservatives in some, but those gains have now evaporated and the party is struggling to regain momentum.An Emnid poll on Sunday showed Merkel's conservatives widening their lead to 15 points.In an 80-minute speech before the party agreed its policy manifesto, Schulz, a former president of the European Parliament, was most passionate on Europe."Merkel and (Finance Minister Wolfgang) Schaeuble were very firm when it came to policies like austerity in Europe but you hear little to nothing from them about the rule of law and democracy in the EU," he said, taking aim at Hungary and Poland.He said the SPD aimed to strengthen Europe by stressing the values of human dignity and by investing in innovation. The chances of denying Merkel a fourth term look slim for the SPD, who are currently junior partners in her right-left coalition, but some have been inspired by the resurgence by Britain's Labour party under Jeremy Corbyn in a June 8 vote.

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