An Establishment Firebrand in Germany

摘要

In the western German city of Schwerte, 700 people jump to their feet, waving red-and-white signs saying "Time for Martin." That would be Martin Schulz, a Social Democrat aiming to deny German Chancellor Angela Merkel a fourth term in September elections. Despite the surge of energy as Schulz takes the stage, his message is about as radical as the rally's menu of beer and brown bread slathered in Mett-a traditional German concoction of raw pork and onions. After a 45-minute speech in which Schulz promotes his anti-establishment bona fides, he finishes by pledging adherence to a program that predates Germany's 19th century unification, "As Social Democrats, we've had the same goals for 153 years," he tells the crowd.