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Germany election: Merkel seeks fourth term as voting begins Germany election: Merkel seeks fourth term
(about 5 hours later)
Voting has opened in Germany's federal elections, with Chancellor Angela Merkel tipped to retain power. Millions of Germans are casting their votes in the country's federal elections, with Chancellor Angela Merkel tipped to retain power.
She is seeking a fourth term in office and to keep her Christian Democrat party's (CDU) status as the largest presence in Germany's Bundestag. She is seeking a fourth term in office and to keep her conservative CDU/CSU alliance's status as the largest presence in Germany's Bundestag.
The CDU's coalition partner, the SPD, is its main opponent. The right-wing AfD is likely to gain seats in parliament for the first time. Its coalition partner, the social democratic SPD, is its main rival, while the right-wing AfD is likely to gain its first parliamentary seats.
Polling stations opened at 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT) and close at 18:00. Voter turnout is expected to be high.
The first exit polls are expected shortly after the close of voting. Polling stations opened at 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT) and close at 18:00, with exit polls expected shortly after.
The election is seen as important because it may result in six parties in the Bundestag - the German national parliament - for the first time since World War Two. The election is seen as important because it may result in six parties in the Bundestag - the German national parliament - for the first time since World War Two.
Such a result could mean a change in the makeup of the current governing coalition.Such a result could mean a change in the makeup of the current governing coalition.
Uncertainty about what a new coalition government could look like is expected to draw high numbers of voters to the ballot boxes, with postal voting higher than usual.
Key contendersKey contenders
Angela Merkel: Widely expected to retain her seat, Mrs Merkel is seen internationally as a source of stability - having led Germany since 2005. Her decision to open Germany to asylum seekers during the peak of Europe's migrant crisis cost her politically, but she appears to have recoveredAngela Merkel: Widely expected to retain her seat, Mrs Merkel is seen internationally as a source of stability - having led Germany since 2005. Her decision to open Germany to asylum seekers during the peak of Europe's migrant crisis cost her politically, but she appears to have recovered
Martin Schulz: Leader of the centre-left SPD and Mrs Merkel's main rival, he is also her coalition partner - which has proved troublesome during the campaign, as he sought to criticise her politics Martin Schulz: The SPD leader was until recently speaker of the European Parliament. Mrs Merkel's main rival is also her coalition partner - which has proved troublesome during the campaign, as he sought to criticise her politics
Alice Weidel and Alexander Gauland: The top candidates for the right-wing AfD. Achieving seats in the Bundestag - or potentially becoming the third-largest party, as some campaign polls suggested - would be a major victory Alice Weidel and Alexander Gauland: The top candidates for the AfD. Achieving seats in the Bundestag - or potentially becoming the third-largest party, as some campaign polls suggested - would be a major victory
Martin Schulz, leader of the Social Democrats (SPD) and a former president of the European parliament, is Mrs Merkel's biggest rival for chancellor. What are the coalition options?
But Mrs Merkel, with 12 years of experience in the office, is widely expected to retain her position. The SPD's Mr Schulz has already appeared to reject the idea of another CDU-led grand coalition, so what are the realistic alternatives for Mrs Merkel?
Among the parties expected to win seats is the right-wing nationalist, anti-Islam Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Recent polls suggest the CDU/CSU has a double-digit lead over the SPD but there are millions of undecided voters - perhaps a third of the electorate.
The party has so far held seats only in regional government, but has grown in popularity during a campaign focused on immigration issues. With the SPD still around 14 points behind Mrs Merkel's party in the polls, Mr Schulz is unlikely to attract all of them.
Other significant contenders include Die Linke (the Left), the Greens, and the Free Democrats (FDP). The AfD, a nationalist, anti-Islam party, has so far held seats only in regional government but has grown in popularity during a campaign focused on immigration issues.
Mainstream parties have already ruled out talking to the AfD, which has been polling at between 11% and 13% and could emerge as Germany's third-strongest party.
Another significant contender is Die Linke (the Left).
Some 61.5 million people aged over 18 are eligible to vote in federal elections, which are held every four years.Some 61.5 million people aged over 18 are eligible to vote in federal elections, which are held every four years.
There are two separate votes - one for a candidate in their constituency, and one for their preferred political party.There are two separate votes - one for a candidate in their constituency, and one for their preferred political party.