The German election campaign heats up as Chancellor Olaf Scholz and opposition leader Friedrich Merz face off in a high-stakes TV duel.

With just two weeks until the Bundestag election, this televised debate is seen as Scholz's last chance to shift the momentum.

Current polls favor Merz, whose controversial stance on migration has bolstered his position without significant backlash.

Scholz, trailing in popularity, aims to portray himself as a steady leader while casting doubt on Merz's reliability.

Meanwhile, Merz is expected to criticize Scholz's handling of economic and migration policies, presenting himself as the candidate of change.

The debate's outcome could influence undecided voters, making every word and gesture critical in this tightly contested race.