German economy minister Gabriel to run against Merkel: Reports

German economy minister Sigmar Gabriel has decided to run against Chancellor Angela Merkel in general elections expected this September, Bild newspaper reported on Tuesday citing sources from Social Democrats.

Senior party sources told Reuters last week, that there is no realistic alternative to Gabriel, currently serving as vice chancellor and economy minister in Merkel's right-left coalition government. Gabriel, 57, also leads the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

Merkel, 62, announced her candidature for a fourth term in November last year.

An official announcement is not expected until January 29.

"The SPD will decide on its candidate for chancellor on Jan. 29," a spokesman for Gabriel said, Reuters reported.

The paper said that former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder had encouraged Gabriel to stand and clearly state that he wanted the top job.

Some party members had hoped that the former president of the European Parliament Martin Schulz would step up for the role.

Bild said Gabriel's likely run meant that Schulz would replace Steinmeier as Berlin's top diplomat.

The SPD executive board denied in a tweet that a decision had been taken.

"We are pleased about the media interest in the SPD! But it is just speculation about the chancellor issue. The fact remains: we will decide on January 29," it said.

Although Merkel had received criticism for her liberal immigration policy, polls show the Christian Democrats (CDU) leads with around 37 per cent support, followed at a distance by the SPD with about 20 per cent. An insurgent anti-immigration party, the AfD, is currently polling at around 15 per cent, AFP reported.

(With inputs from agencies)