Angela Merkel, German chancellor, shrugged off criticism of her low-key re-election campaign on Wednesday, ignoring calls for a tactical change of course before next week’s election despite mounting fears among allies that her non-confrontational style could cost the centre-right precious votes.

Speaking at a rally in the eastern city of Schwerin, the pocket-sized capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern where she has her constituency, Ms Merkel pitched for a second term without once mentioning her political rivals.