Mr Gerhard Schroeder's top deputy in parliament said on Sunday he was fairly certain the German chancellor would run for re-election for a third term in 2006.
Although Mr Schroeder said before taking office he would not remain in office beyond two terms, he has since hinted several times that he might run again.
"Naturally Gerhard Schroeder - that's what I assume," Franz Muentefering said when asked by Bild am Sonntag newspaper who would lead the Social Democrats (SPD) into the next election.
"And he will remain chancellor because we will win the election," said Mr Muentefering, SPD parliamentary floor leader and previously Mr Schroeder's deputy party leader.
Earlier in August Mr Schroeder, 59, said he had made a decision about whether he would run but would not make any announcement until "the right moment." After winning re-election last year, he said he was "really feeling a desire" to run again.
In January, Mr Schroeder had said he had no plans to stay in office as long as his predecessor, Helmut Kohl, but might still seek a third term. Mr Kohl was chancellor for 16 years, winning four elections before Mr Schroeder beat him in 1998.
SPD general secretary Mr Olaf Scholz said last year he was certain Schroeder would run again. SPD leaders believe he might step aside midway through a third term - at about 64 - to give a successor time in power before facing the electorate.