Angela Merkel's chief of staff was forced to deny rumours that the German Chancellor will run for a fifth term.
Merkel has led the country for 15 years in four different terms but said she would not seek re-election in autumn 2021.
But a German newspaper speculated that Merkel might run again following her success handling the coronavirus crisis.
German politicians - who were not named in the report - told Bild they were 'really glad' that Merkel is still in charge.
Helge Braun, Merkel's chief of staff, said: 'I don't think this is any time to discuss something like that.
'She has said that this is her last term in office and I believe nothing has changed about that.'
Merkel returned to work on Friday after two weeks of self isolation because a doctor who gave her a vaccination tested positive for coronavirus.
The doctor had visited Merkel, 65, last month to vaccinate her against the pneumococcus bacteria.
Germany today saw sharp falls in both its daily death toll and its new infection count, offering fresh hope that the coronavirus lockdown is working.
The number of infections rose by 3,677 - the smallest since March 22 - to bring the overall tally from 91,714 to 95,391.
Meanwhile the death toll jumped by only 92, the lowest in a week, taking the total from 1,342 to 1,434.
The resulting fatality rate of 1.5 per cent remains lower than many of Germany's neighbours, although it has risen every day for more than two weeks.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
