Germans are heading to the polls today to elect a new federal government, following the collapse of the three-party coalition late last year. This snap election has sparked significant interest, with 59.2 million Germans eligible to vote. While millions have already cast their ballots by post, polls suggest that up to 20% of voters were still undecided ahead of election day.
Friedrich Merz, the 69-year-old conservative leader, is currently in pole position to become Germany’s next chancellor. Merz, a familiar face within his party’s old guard, has promised to provide stronger leadership and tackle the country’s pressing issues within four years. His bid to tighten migration rules, however, has raised eyebrows, revealing a willingness to break taboos and diverge from his party’s more centrist stance under Angela Merkel.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is poised to become the second-largest political force, surpassing Olaf Scholz’s centre-left party. With no party having won an outright majority in Germany since World War II, the political system is geared towards coalition-building, which can be a time-consuming process.
Voters in Berlin’s Mauerpark market emphasized the need for a new government to address pressing issues, citing different priorities such as the economy, migration, welfare, climate change, European defence, and Ukraine. As Germans cast their ballots, the country eagerly awaits the outcome of this pivotal election.
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