The televised debate between Merkel, left, and Steinmeier focussed mainly on the economy [AFP]

Walter Steinmeier, the foreign minister and main challenger to incumbent chancellor, Angela Merkel, said Germany should move towards an eventual withdrawal of its 4,000 troops from Afghanistan.

"We want to create the conditions ... by 2013 so that the withdrawal can begin," Steinmeier, the head of the Social Democrats (SPD), said in Sunday's debate.

He clarified that he did not envision 2013 as the withdrawal date and did not commit to specifying one, simply saying that the foundations towards withdrawal should be laid by then.

"I can't say now ... let's get out without using our heads. Getting out now would mean women going back into the cellar, girls no longer going to school, farmers growing drugs again and plenty more."

The debate ahead of the September 27 election is believed to have been watched by an audience of 20 million people.

'Vague targets'

Merkel agreed that pressure needed to be exerted on Kabul to ensure progress but would not be engaged on a specific withdrawal plan.

Last week, she joined French and British leaders in calling for a new international conference on Afghanistan to be held this year, aimed at accelerating the training of local forces as well as laying out a timetable in which Afghans can take full control of security.

On Sunday, the Der Spiegel newspaper reported that a document written for Steinmeier said the conference should "not satisfy itself with vague targets" and that foundations for a withdrawal should be laid in Germany's next four-year parliamentary term.

According to opinion polls Merkel's Christian Democratic Union party is 12 points ahead of the Social Democrats, who are her current coalition partner.

Economy

Aside from the brief discussion on foreign policy, the 90-minute debate on Sunday focused mainly on the economy

Germany recently emerged from its deepest recession since World War II and both parties want to convince voters they are best placed to protect jobs and getting the economy on the right track.

Merkel said she would stimulate growth by "lowering certain taxes to motivate workers" and warned that with SPD solutions Germany would "stay at economic rock bottom" for years.

Steinmeier said Merkel's pledge of tax cuts at a time of surging deficits lacked credibility.

He also attacked her on her vow to extend the life of some nuclear energy plants - a politically divisive issue in Germany.

Two weeks of campaigning remain.

Recommend this article...

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto: