WDR interview with Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberger: The Chancellor candidates in the mirror of personality and political responsibility WDR interview with Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberger: The Chancellor candidates in the mirror of personality

In this edition of the WDR 5 Tagesgespräch, Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberger focuses on the candidates for the upcoming Bundestag election, examining them from the perspective of political and personal perception. The political scientist emphasizes that for a Chancellor who must defend a government record, it inevitably leads to a position of justification. This is a typical challenge for political leadership, especially in the case of Olaf Scholz (SPD), who, as the incumbent Chancellor, is obligated to take responsibility for the mistakes of the entire government. Kronenberger interprets this defensive position not only as a political dilemma but also as a sign of leadership strength, as Scholz acknowledges responsibility for the failures in government work. Additionally, the discussion explores the personalities of other candidates, such as Merz, and raises the question of how their public image and authenticity significantly influence the political debate and voting decisions.