Germany's Scholz set to run for second term after potential rival bows out

FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius take part in the commissioning of the IRIS-T SLM air defence system at the German army Bundeswehr barracks Todendorf in Panker, Germany September 4, 2024. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo

BERLIN (Reuters) -German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was set to run for a second term in upcoming snap elections after his popular Defence Minister Boris Pistorius - a possible replacement - ruled himself out of the running on Thursday.

The news gave some relief after weeks of uncertainty over whether Pistorius would step into the frame with the elections just months away on Feb. 23.