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Final rallies before German vote Final rallies before German vote
(42 minutes later)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and challenger Frank-Walter Steinmeier have appealed to voters on the economy on the eve of Sunday's national poll.German Chancellor Angela Merkel and challenger Frank-Walter Steinmeier have appealed to voters on the economy on the eve of Sunday's national poll.
The parties of the two rivals have shared power for the last four years.The parties of the two rivals have shared power for the last four years.
Mrs Merkel's conservatives are now hoping to win by enough to rule without Mr Steinmeier's Social Democrats.Mrs Merkel's conservatives are now hoping to win by enough to rule without Mr Steinmeier's Social Democrats.
The campaign has been overshadowed by security concerns following a series of al-Qaeda messages warning Germany over its role in the war in Afghanistan.The campaign has been overshadowed by security concerns following a series of al-Qaeda messages warning Germany over its role in the war in Afghanistan.
All flights have been banned over the Oktoberfest in Munich, the traditional beer festival expected to attract millions of visitors, and armed police are guarding airports, train stations and city centres across the country.All flights have been banned over the Oktoberfest in Munich, the traditional beer festival expected to attract millions of visitors, and armed police are guarding airports, train stations and city centres across the country.
'Winners and losers''Winners and losers'
The BBC's Oana Lungescu in Berlin says few doubt that Mrs Merkel - described as the most powerful woman in the world and widely applauded for her steady leadership during the economic crisis - will win another term.The BBC's Oana Lungescu in Berlin says few doubt that Mrs Merkel - described as the most powerful woman in the world and widely applauded for her steady leadership during the economic crisis - will win another term.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the race remained wide openFrank-Walter Steinmeier said the race remained wide open
But with one in four voters undecided, she says it remains to be seen if her Christian Democrats and their Christian Social Union sister party can secure enough support to form their preferred coalition with the pro-business Free Democrats.But with one in four voters undecided, she says it remains to be seen if her Christian Democrats and their Christian Social Union sister party can secure enough support to form their preferred coalition with the pro-business Free Democrats.
At a rally near Berlin's Brandenburg Gate on Saturday, Mrs Merkel told supporters chanting "Angie, Angie" that every vote counted.At a rally near Berlin's Brandenburg Gate on Saturday, Mrs Merkel told supporters chanting "Angie, Angie" that every vote counted.
"What this is about - and let me repeat it one more time - is that we are experiencing the most serious economic crisis Germany has seen in the last 60 years, and therefore tomorrow we need to pave the way so that we can get Germany out of this low quickly," she said."What this is about - and let me repeat it one more time - is that we are experiencing the most serious economic crisis Germany has seen in the last 60 years, and therefore tomorrow we need to pave the way so that we can get Germany out of this low quickly," she said.
But at a rival rally in Dresden, Mr Steinmeier said voting for a centre-right government would mean favouring the interests of business over those of the poor.But at a rival rally in Dresden, Mr Steinmeier said voting for a centre-right government would mean favouring the interests of business over those of the poor.
"Those who don't want this country to be torn apart into winners and losers must go and vote tomorrow," he said."Those who don't want this country to be torn apart into winners and losers must go and vote tomorrow," he said.
He also said the race remained wide open. He added that the race remained wide open.
"The big lead they had has melted like ice in the sunshine," he said."The big lead they had has melted like ice in the sunshine," he said.
"We will keep fighting for every vote until the last second.""We will keep fighting for every vote until the last second."