Getty Current EU Parliament President Martin Schulz

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The 61-year-old has indicated to party sources that he will not run against the SPD’s Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel. Despite various attempts by the party’s rank and file to persuade the EU mandarin to stand and therefore bring about a membership vote on the issue, Mr Schultz has declined to stand against his colleague, according to local media reports. The two men have a long friendship and Schulz does not want to cause possible divisions within the party.

Getty Martin Schulz (left) and Sigmar Gabriel

No official decision will be taken by the party until the end of the month about who will be the party’s candidate for Germany’s top political job that could see the current incumbent Angela Merkel ousted. In the previous two elections, Mr Gabriel had made way for the current Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and former Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück. Party insiders have indicated that if Mr Gabriel did not run, it would weaken his position as the party leader.

'Merkel must go!' Protest in Dresden as Merkel arrives to celebrate German Unity Day Mon, October 3, 2016 Protesters jeered at German Chancellor Angela Merkel as she attended celebrations in Dresden to mark 26 years since Germany's reunification called German Unity Day. Play slideshow 1 of 14

Mr Gabriel has argued for a disciplined approach to the upcoming general election and has deliberately refused to not show his hand too early. With Mr Schulz now focusing on domestic issues he would be given a boost in his chances with a seasoned politician behind him. The SPD is expected to be in the next government, either in another coalition with Ms Merkel’s Christian Democrats or as the leader of a left-wing coalition together with the Greens and Left party. Mr Schulz would be well-poised for a senior position, whatever the outcome, possibly for years to come.

Getty SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel is expected to be the party's candidate for Chancellor