Schroeder tries to woo party faithful

By Ray Furlong
BBC correspondent in Bochum

Germany's main ruling party, the Social Democrats, begins its bi-annual party convention in the West German city of Bochum on Monday as its leader, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, battles to push through unpopular economic reforms.

He must also revive the party's poll ratings - currently at a historic low.

Important things to do - Gerhard Schroeder

Mr Schroeder once stopped the traditional working class hymns at party conferences as part of his efforts to modernise the party's image.

But now, the songs are back - because the party needs cheering up.

In opinion polls, it's lagging disastrously behind the opposition, and there seems no end to bad news on the economy.

Chancellor Schroeder's reforms to revive it have led many in his party to accuse him of betraying its principles - which will no doubt lead to rows at this conference.

So reports that Mr Schroeder has taken particular care over his speech are not surprising.

He will argue that he will save Germany's welfare state by reforming it, and there may also be an emotional touch; this being the fortieth anniversary of his joining the party.

And in a symbolic moment, the head of the trade unions will address the delegates - the message being that the party and the unions are still friends despite recent differences over Mr Schroeder's policies.