German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said on Sunday he is counting on undecided voters to save him from defeat in an election that polls show he is likely to lose, Reuters reported.

In an interview he also pledged to fight to the last minute for re-election, adding the fact his Social Democrat Party (SPD) trailed in opinion polls only fired him on.

"We are fighting to become the largest party. Certainly the circumstances have been more favorable in the past, but that merely spurs me on," Schroeder told ZDF television.

"I am counting on the last 14 days, that is the decisive time when undecided voters make up their minds."

Three weeks before Germany's general election, Angela Merkel's conservatives (CDU/CSU) have a 12-to-14 point advantage, boosted by voters' appetite for change at the top after years of chronic unemployment and weak economic growth.

Next Sunday Schroeder faces Merkel in a head-to-head television debate, where he is expected to hold an advantage, as the more charismatic and experienced screen performer.

Schroeder, known for his macho style, said it made no difference to him that he would face a female opponent.

He added: "My good personal ratings must be tied to the Social Democrats. That is our job. There are many people who say they want to keep Gerhard Schroeder as chancellor, and those who think this way must vote for the SPD."

"I am very optimistic that this will be the case."

Schroeder defended his course of economic reforms saying they needed time to take hold, and dismissed any suggestion he was mulling a so-called "grand coalition" should the conservatives fail to secure enough votes to form a government.

(Chinadaily.com via agencies August 29, 2005)