As Germany braces-up for this month’s general election, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's main rival has accused her of causing misery by imposing austerity on southern Europe.

CEOAFRICA.com gathered that Peer Steinbrueck made this known at an head-to-head debate organized by the national television station. He also described Merkel’s euro policies a failures.

In her reply, Merkel acknowledged the Germany’s healthy economy, describing it as the motor of growth in Europe.

Angela Merkel represents the Conservative coalition, while Mr. Steinbrueck is from Social Democrats (SPD).

The debate which lasted for 90 minutes saw both contestants battling word-for-word. Merkel portrayed herself as someone the people have known and can trust in difficult times, while Peer Steinbrueck emphasized on what he saw as the cost of success to ordinary people, described as a low pay sector hardly found in any other country in Europe.

The election is set to hold on 22^nd September, with the two candidates getting set for what may hopefully be a keenly-contested affair.