Three factors are generally cited that enabled Schröder to win the elections despite poor approval ratings a few months before and a weaker economy : good handling of the 100-year flood , firm opposition to the US 2003 invasion of Iraq , and Stoiber 's unpopularity in the east , which cost the CDU crucial seats there .
Two factors are generally cited that enabled Schröder to win the elections despite poor approval ratings a few months before : good handling of the 2002 European floods and firm opposition to the USA 's 2003 invasion of Iraq .