Martin Schulz: Who is the man who could topple Angela Merkel?

Arch-Europhile could give Britain the 'hardest Brexit possible' if he becomes German chancellor in September

Martin Schulz SPD Leader
 
(Image credit: Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty)

Angela Merkel will face the most serious challenge to her 12 years as German chancellor when the country goes to the polls in September.

She will be up against Martin Schulz, a former president of the European Parliament who yesterday was named the new leader of Germany's left-leaning Social Democratic Party (SPD) after winning all 605 delegate votes – a "record result", says The Guardian.

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