Angela Merkel's rival accuses her of 'deadly austerity' in TV debate In recent months, Berlin softened its demands for fiscal rigour in the eurozone, making plain that it is willing to allow more time to cut deficits in exchange for economic reforms. Mr Steinbrück put social justice at the heart of his pitch for office, pointing out that Germany has one of the largest low wage sectors in Europe, with over 7m people earning less than his party's proposed €8.50 per hour minimum wage. Mrs Merkel rejects this proposal in favour of sector-by-sector agreements between employers and employees. The Social Democrat candidate also defended plans to raise income tax for top earners. Mrs Merkel, whose party has ruled out income tax rises, said that this would endanger jobs. Mindful of public scepticism about German military engagement abroad, both the chancellor and her Social Democrat challenger rejected the idea of participating in a strike on Syria. Mrs Merkel said that there needed to be "a collective answer by the UN" to the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Mrs Merkel has benefited from low unemployment, stronger economic growth than expected, and a perception that she has handled the euro-zone crisis well.