Germany's SPD leaders endorse Martin Schulz as chancellor candidate: sources

Berlin

LEADERS of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) endorsed former European Parliament president Martin Schulz on Sunday as their candidate to run against conservative Angela Merkel in September's national election, sources familiar with the decision told Reuters.

The decision will be formalised at a special party conference to be held in Berlin on March 19, the sources added. According to them, about 35 members of the party's executive committee voted unanimously for Mr Schulz, 61, to become the party's new leader and its chancellor candidate.