Scholz promises to speak clearly in future

As a lesson learned from his failed three-party government coalition with the Greens and Free Democrats, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says has wants to speak clearly going forward.

"In future, I will always be clear, even if it might make compromises more difficult," Scholz said in Dortmund on Friday evening at the Social Democratic Party's (SPD) big final rally in the federal election campaign.

"It must be clear to our country what is at stake and where the Chancellor wants to go," Scholz asserted.

He stressed that he continues to believe in his party's success.

The SPD is "much, much stronger than the current polls suggest," Scholz said.

It must be clear that the Social Democratic Party is strong enough "to lead the next government," he added.

In the final hours before election day on Sunday, the party is still counting on mobilising undecided voters.

In addition to the SPD's well-known demands – such as tax relief for low and middle earners, continued support for Ukraine, an increase in the minimum wage to €15 ($15.70) and a reform of the debt brake – Scholz reiterated the promise that there would be no cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) under him.

His challenger Friedrich Merz had already broken his word on this issue by voting with the AfD on a migration motion, Scholz charged.

"That's why those who are not yet convinced will be convinced," Scholz told 2,000 people at the event in Dortmund in Germany's western Ruhr industrial heartland.

With opinion polls showing the SPD stagnating between 14% and 16%, the party is at risk of suffering its worst result in a federal election on Sunday. Its worst-ever showing was 17.5% in 1990.