German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday said he currently opposes banning the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). He said domestic intelligence services should continue to monitor the party and collect material but warned that authorities must be "very careful with a ban procedure.

Increasing numbers in his own center-left party say he should, arguing for a more charismatic leader who might better their electoral chances.

Chancellor Scholz is set to be his party's top candidate in the upcoming election, despite poor favorability ratings.In September, Olaf Scholz brushed aside a journalist's question about his legacy. But with Scholz's low popularity ratings and the election campaign already heating up,

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been officially nominated as the candidate for his Social Democrats (SPD) in the German city of Potsdam, near Berlin, ahead of elections set to be held in February. Scholz received 93% of votes from party members in his constituency in the eastern state of Brandenburg.