Habeck vs. Weidel: ARD and ZDF cancel second TV duel

The TV duel planned by ARD and ZDF for the federal election with the Greens and AfD’s candidates for chancellor, Robert Habeck and Alice Weidel, will not take place. In response to a request from the DPA news agency, ARD said Habeck had canceled in writing late on Thursday evening. “Therefore, the production of the second planned duel between ARD and ZDF will not take place in this form.” ZDF also announced this in the same way.

According to ARD, there will only be one television duel from the two public broadcasters before the federal election: that between Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Union candidate Friedrich Merz (CDU) on February 9th. The private broadcaster RTL is also planning a TV duel between these two a week later. You can read all information about the TV duels here.

ARD said it was currently examining how the positions of the Greens and the AfD could be appropriately presented in the program. ZDF said: “ZDF will give the top candidates Alice Weidel and Robert Habeck appropriate airtime in other formats and invite them to do so as soon as possible.”

The two originally planned TV duels on ARD and ZDF had sparked criticism from politicians in the past few days. For example, it was about the question of equal opportunities. Then Habeck also made it clear that he did not want to take part in the TV duel against Weidel. It would have taken place on February 10th. The early federal election is scheduled for February 23rd.

After it became known that Habeck did not want to run against Weidel, other top politicians offered their services. FDP leader Christian Lindner and BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht had declared their willingness.