Photo Gallery Steinbrück's Big 'Misunderstanding'
Social Democratic Party leader Peer Steinbrück, whose bid for the chancellorship has been strewn with gaffes, is unlikely to make significant progress in his campaign before Germany hits the polls on September 22.
Though Steinbrück has said he will not be a minister in another Merkel cabinet, the prospect of a Grand Colaition with her Conservatives is looking increasingly likely.
The candidate prompted a storm of protest after giving the middle finger during a photo shoot. Steinbrück appeared on the front cover of the Süddeutsche Zeitung magazine delivering the gesture after being asked whether he minded having been given insulting nicknames during the course of his campaign.
After the Italian election in February, he offended Italians by describing as "clowns" Silvio Berlusconi and populist leader Beppe Grillo (pictured).
Steinbrück has relentlessly tried to win favor with the country's younger voters. He is pictured here at a kebab shop in Hamburg, an event which he later promoted through his Facebook account.
Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has been supporting the SPD candidate during his campaign.
Though Steinbrück scored points at a recent televised duel against the incumbent, it did little to improve his party's performance at the polls.
