Schulz criticizes Merkel and Trump at SDP rally in Bremen

Challenger Martin Schulz stepped up his attack on the incumbent German chancellor, Angela Merkel, as the Social Democratic party attempts to narrow the gap between the two ahead of September’s election.

In the northern German city of Bremen, a Social Democrat stronghold since the fall of the Nazi party, Schulz pledged to increase levels of equality in the nation, directly criticized Donald Trump and promised greater public investment at a rally attended by more than 1,000 supporters.

"It's being written and projected that the election is already done," Schulz said on Monday. "But I tell you: polls are not results. You have the choice between a chancellor who avoids every debate about the future and somebody who tells you what he wants."

He then went on to accuse Merkel and her Christian Democratic party of blocking regulations that would see rental prices more tightly monitored and lambasted her for her inability to address Germany's gender pay gap.

Polls continue to show Merkel has a commanding lead. Most recently, a weekly poll by Bild newspaper reported she was holding a significant lead over her main rival, with Schulz on 24% and Merkel sitting well ahead at 38%.

Schulz also went for the US President, saying that Trump "doesn't have the will to distance himself from Nazis," when speaking of recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia and the 45th President of the United States's divisive comments in response.

"You have to tell him very clearly: this kind of politics is wrong and it will never be the kind of politics we have here in Germany."

The German general election will be held on 24 September.