牽手和分手來自同一雙手

The country's sluggish economy, high unemployment, and foreign policy have been the election's main themes.

"We will not make false promises about how to get Germany moving again," the physicist from the former communist east said.

He also recalled his opposition to the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and criticised Mrs Merkel for visiting Washington in the run-up to the war.

Mr Schroeder, 61, gambled by calling the election early, feeling he needed stronger backing, correspondents say, and he has steadily cut into the CDU's lead.

"My future is to remain chancellor," he vowed on Saturday, but if he fails he has said he will quit as leader of the SPD.

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published by BBC News