Schroeder denies speculation of cabinet reshuffle

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Friday that he has no intention to reshuffle his cabinet although his party faces an all-time low popularity in a new opinion poll.

Schroeder dismissed speculation of a rift in his ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) in an interview with Germany's ZDF television.

"Everyone in the cabinet has done their best to work together, at least recently," Schroeder said.

There has been widespread speculation of a cabinet reshuffle after the SPD suffered severe setback in both the European Parliament election and a state parliamentary election on June 13.

Schroeder reiterated that he would continue his controversial economic and social reforms. "I can not pursue another course of policy. I do not wish to do so," he said.

A ZDF opinion poll released on Friday showed if an election is held now, Schroeder's SPD could count on only 27 percent of the vote and the opposition Christian Democrats 46 percent.

Source: Xinhua