The favourite to win CDU leader Friedrich Merz warns that Sunday's election is the last chance to stop the far-right in Germany.
The next four years, we must solve two major problems in this country: migration and the economy. Otherwise, we will definitely slide into right-wing populism, he said in the debate.
The far-right party AFD looks set to gain more votes than ever before, and both Merz and Chancellor Scholz (S) want to avoid this.
Look at Brexit, look at what has happened in the USA, warned Merz according to the AFP news agency.
Ruling out cooperation
His Christian Democratic CDU, together with its sister party CSU in Bavaria, has around 30 per cent of the support, while AFD has around 21 per cent and the Social Democrats (SPD) around 16 per cent, writes Politico. The Greens are just behind SPD in the polls.
In order to govern, Merz will likely need to cooperate with some party. After being pressed by both the programme leader and Scholz, he promised again not to govern together with AFD.
I want to be very clear once again so that there are no misunderstandings, not even from the Chancellor's side: We will not cooperate with AFD, that is a final answer.
Cash payment
But not everything was serious politics in the debate. Both wanted to show themselves from their more down-to-earth sides and said they shop for food in supermarkets like anyone else. Except for the hectic election campaign, which has made it impossible for them, they said.
I always shop for food myself. And I pay with my mobile, it's easy, just two clicks, said Merz.
Scholz was more conservative.
Every other time with a card, every other time with cash. Yes, I always have cash on me.
