At the moment she has no real opponents and has had no big problems to solve. This is no secure basis of trust for the chancellor.

There were 21 million viewers and their verdict was that Schroeder had won the duel. It was clear.

Some of the undecided SPD voters have come back and that is what has given them the extra three points. We'll have to wait to see if they can hold on to them.

Even though there are probably a lot of nonvoters among the people who are undecided, this proportion of uncertain voters indicates continuing movement even shortly before the election.

Supporters of the CDU failed to vote because of reservations about Merkel.

Voters would like to keep Schroeder but they consider the SPD incapable of governing the country.