Ich Bin Ein Blair?

BONN: The momentum building behind Gerhard Schroeder, the charismatic centrist candidate for chancelor of Germanys opposition Social Democrats, has Helmut Kohls ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) battling to reposition itself - and journalists reaching for the Tony Blair analogy.

Which is certainly tempting. Schroeder's experience fits well with Europes new-left politics of the 90s, in which leaders of traditional social-democratic parties such as Blair and Lionel Jospin implement a center-right economic program. But as TIMEs Bonn bureau chief Jordan Bonfante warns, the analogy has its limits: While Schroeder would like nothing more than to be likened to Blair, the major difference is that the Christian Democrats are not the Tories, says Bonfante. Where Blair faced a decrepit and unpopular party, the CDU is still a strong and vigorous political force. And Chancellor Kohl is no Prime Minister Major. As Schroeder's four predecessors found, it's none too easy to write off the Wests longest-serving leader.