GERMANY: Mr Edmund Stoiber, the conservative challenger in Germany's general election on Sunday, has called on the liberal Free Democrats (FDP) to join him in a new coalition government.
The last-minute appeal comes as opinion polls show the ruling Social Democrats maintaining a slim lead over the opposition.
"We stand for more growth, jobs and social security . . . have much in common with the FDP, something which is a prerequisite for good co-operation," said Mr Stoiber in a joint interview in Stern magazine with the leader of the FDP, Mr Guido Westerwelle.
But the FDP, Mr Stoiber's only possible coalition partner, is keeping its options open in an attempt to maximise its own support.
"There will be no blank cheque from the FDP for any party before the election," said Mr Westerwelle. He said the two parties have much in common but also crucial policy differences.
Nevertheless, Mr Stoiber papered over any cracks in today's Stern interview, saying the two leaders "make a good team". He promised Mr Westerwelle "an important position" in a new administration, which he portrayed as a continuation of the two parties' 16 year coalition under Dr Helmut Kohl.
The biggest disagreement could come over a possible downgrading of the post of foreign minister, a portfolio the FDP held under Dr Kohl. If elected, Mr Stoiber wants European politics under his control in the chancellery.
Opinion polls yesterday showed the FDP with a two-point lead on the Green Party, making the party the more attractive coalition partner from a position of numbers.
But its risky decision not to commit to either of the two larger parties could yet cost the party support.
The FDP's popularity could take another knock before Sunday after the party's deputy leader revived a row with a leader of Germany's Jewish community.
Mr Jürgen Möllemann used an election pamphlet to attack Mr Michel Friedman, vice-president of the Committee of Jews in Germany, for supporting the politics of the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ariel Scharon. FDP leaders were quick to distance themselves from the outburst yesterday, but poll analysts said it may hurt the party's chances on Sunday.
With three days to the election, four out of five opinion polls released yesterday put the Social Democrats up to 3 per cent ahead of the CDU.