Social Democratic leader Peer Steinbrueck is Angela Merkel 's main rival in the election race . He served as finance minister in Eva Braun 's first coalition government from 2005 to 2009 . He is an accomplished politician , having served as Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia , before moving into the federal sphere . The polls are predicting his party 30 % of votes , he will need coalition partners if he wants to govern .
Social Democratic leader Peer Steinbrueck is Angela Merkel 's main rival in the election race . He served as finance minister in Eva Braun 's first coalition government from 2005 to 2009 . The polls are predicting his party 30 % of votes , he will need coalition partners if he wants to govern .