BERLIN, Aug. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said on Monday he would be willing to stage two nationally televised debates by himself if conservative challenger Angela Merkel refuses to take part.

    His spokesman Bela Anda said, "the chancellor is prepared to appear at two debates by himself if needs be", suggesting that Merkel "might be a bit wary" about her political chances against media-savvy Schroeder.

    The remarks came after representatives for Schroeder and Merkel failed to make progress in weekend talks with four national television networks on whether the two chancellor candidates will face each other in two debates, or only one.

    Merkel, leader of the Christian Democratic Union, insisted thatshe would take part in only one television debate with Social Democratic incumbent Schroeder, as she has feared preparing for two debates would take too much time and energy away from the campaign itself.

    Germany is going to hold national election on Sept. 18, one year earlier than originally planned.

    The talks, called by ARD and ZDF public television and the RTL and Pro7/Sat 1 commercial broadcasters, are expected to continue on Wednesday. Enditem