Schroeder complained about the face on the book's cover

Mr Schroeder took out an injunction on the grounds that the face on the book's first edition cover resembled him.

Publishers Betzel said "The End of the Chancellor - The Last Shot" had now been reprinted with a new cover.

Mr Schroeder's poll ratings plunged to record lows in Germany after a series of unpopular economic reforms.

He wants to show the high-ups that their intrigues can only be answered in one language: the language of violence Publisher's note

In the novel, pharmacist Hans Hansmann shoots the chancellor because he blames government policies for the failure of his business.

"He believes he has to take his destiny in his own hands," a note by Betzel explains.

"He wants to show the high-ups that their intrigues can only be answered in one language: the language of violence."

The contents of the book had not been disputed, a spokesman for Betzel told French news agency AFP.

The thriller was written by a Reinhard Liebermann, believed to be a pen name for a journalist.