Green Party candidate Robert Habeck has officially declined to participate in a second planned television debate with AfD candidate Alice Weidel, leading ARD and ZDF to cancel the event. Habeck’s refusal raises concerns over equal representation in election formats, prompting other political leaders like Christian Lindner and Sahra Wagenknecht to offer to step in. The only confirmed debate will feature Chancellor Olaf Scholz and CDU candidate Friedrich Merz. The networks aim to ensure adequate representation for all parties in their coverage ahead of the elections.