According to the polls, which party takes the lead at present? [originaltext]

Leaders of the main political parties in Germany have broken with tradition to take part in an extra day of campaigning before Sunday’s general election. The eve of voting is normally treated as a day of reflection. But the contest is so close (that) they are both still trying to win voters. Opinion polls still put the centre right parties led by Angela Merkel ahead with just under 50 percent, although Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of the governing Social Democratic Party has narrowed the gap dramatically. From Berlin Ray F. reports.
     This last day of campaigning once again focuses the attention on the duel between Chancellor Schroeder and his challenger Angela Merkel. Mrs. Merkel addressed a rally in Bonn, a safe conservative seat, where she told her audience, "use your vote responsibly." Later Mrs. Merkel moves on to Frankfurt to attend an international motor show. Chancellor Schroeder will also be there holding a large final rally after earlier speaking in the town of Recklinghausen, in the industrial Rhine district, a Social Democrats’ stronghold.