Germans think Martin Schulz is right to run for chancellor | Adam Berry/Getty Images Germans back Martin Schulz’s decision to run for chancellor: poll Schulz would get as many votes as Merkel if direct elections were held today.

More than two-thirds of Germans think the former president of the European Parliament Martin Schulz is right to run for the German chancellorship in September's federal elections.

According to an opinion poll published Wednesday evening by broadcaster ARD, 81 percent of his own Social Democratic Party voters back Schulz's move.

The poll also suggests that Schulz would gain as many votes (41 percent) as Germany's current Christian Democrat leader Angela Merkel if there were direct elections today, while 11 percent of the respondents were undecided.

When it comes to good leadership, 78 percent of respondents think Merkel is a competent leader, compared to 68 percent for Schulz. Merkel was perceived as sympathetic by 63 percent of people, whereas 69 percent thought that Schulz was the more likable.

However, Schulz, who has spent the last 23 years in Brussels, remains an unknown quantity at home, with 65 percent of respondents saying they don't know what he stands for.

Gabriel, the former SPD leader, surprised many of this own party members by resignaing from the post on Tuesday, but the poll shows that 79 percent of SPD voters back his decision to stand down. Almost 70 percent of them believe Schulz will bring new life into the party ahead of the vote.