“Struggling Scholz Takes Center Stage as Popular Pistorius Steps Aside for German Reelection Bid”

Here’s a rewritten version of the article:

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Polls paint a bleak picture for the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which has slumped to polling in the mid-teens after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left coalition collapsed earlier this month. Meanwhile, Friedrich Merz’s opposition Christian Democrats are leading with 33 percent, followed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) at 18 percent, showing a clear shift in political momentum.

Domestically, Scholz’s leadership continues to face significant criticism, particularly for his struggle to manage the discord within his “traffic light” coalition, comprising the Greens and Free Democrats. Internationally, Scholz has drawn disappointment for failing to deliver on his pledge of a Zeitenwende — a “historic turning point” — toward a more assertive foreign and security policy following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Having campaigned unsuccessfully in the June European election as the self-proclaimed Friedenskanzler (“chancellor of peace”), Scholz appears determined to double down on the same strategy. A snap election, expected to take place in February, looms on the horizon, spurred by an anticipated parliamentary vote of confidence in mid-December, which he is widely expected to lose.

However, Scholz’s attempt to reinvigorate his leadership has not gone smoothly. Last week, his surprise move to hold his first phone call in two years with Russian President Vladimir Putin sparked outrage. The call reportedly left Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stunned and caused frustration among Western allies. Adding to the tensions, the following day Ukraine suffered one of its most intense Russian air attacks in months.

Although Scholz has consistently vocalized his support for Ukraine, his actions have drawn criticism. He has steadfastly refused to send long-range Taurus missiles to Kyiv, despite other Western nations, including the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, supplying similar weaponry and easing restrictions to help Ukraine strike Russian military targets directly.

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This version retains the article’s key points while streamlining the text and slightly rephrasing for clarity and flow.