German Social Democrats endorse Schulz as chancellor candidate

Germany's Social Democrats leader Sigmar Gabriel today said the party had formally nominated former European Parliament chief Martin Schulz as their candidate to challenge Chancellor Angela Merkel in September's general elections.

Schulz was "unanimously" endorsed by the party leadership ahead of a formal vote today, said Gabriel, who earlier ruled himself out of the race.

He added that Schulz would also replace him as SPD chief.