Germany's Social Democratic Party, or SPD, nominated former European Parliament President Martin Schulz to be its candidate for chancellor in September's general election.

Schulz will run against Chancellor Angela Merkel, who heads a coalition government that includes the SPD alongside her own Christian Democratic party. The SPD's leader, Sigmar Gabriel, stood aside to make way for Schulz, who, he told reporters, "has a better chance," Reuters reported.

Germany will go to the polls Sept. 24.