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The survey puts the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) one point ahead of Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU). The SPD has now gained a record-breaking 12 points since unveiling Mr Schulz as its candidate for the Chancellery last month. The party's surge marks a humiliation blow for Merkel, who is running for her fourth term.

Political scientist Thomas Jaeger of Cologne University said: "This is a serious poll showing the SPD coming from nowhere to overtake the CDU/CSU. "It's amazing to see how unprepared the CDU was for someone like Schulz. "They assumed the SPD was going to stay stuck in the 20-25 percent range. They've been caught pants down."

GETTY The survey, carried out by the Emnid Institute, is a huge blow for Angela Merkel

'MERKEL MUST GO': Brussels protest against German Chancellor Tue, February 14, 2017 Angry campaigners held placards with slogans reading 'Merkel not welcomed' and 'Merkel must go' following a spate of terror attacks against Germany. Play slideshow EPA 1 of 11 Protest on the sidelines of Angela Merkel's official visit in Brussels

GETTY Martin Schulz quit as European Parliament president to run for Chancellor

The Emnid Institute's survey of 1,885 voters gave the SPD 33 per cent of the vote, with the CDU/CSU trailing on 32 per cent. The SPD has been junior partner to Merkel's CDU/CSU in a grand coalition since 2013. But ex-European Parliament chief Schulz has campaigned against many of her policies.

GETTY Merkel's party trails the SPD by one per cent, according to the poll

Martin Schulz has won back over former SPD voters – he speaks their language Thomas Jaeger

Jager added: "Schulz has won back over so many former SPD voters who had turned their back on the party. "He speaks their language and sounds like one of them. "There's a lot of enthusiasm all of a sudden."

GETTY Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble denied Merkel had been complacent