Four candidates are running to be Germany’s next leader: incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Friedrich Merz, current Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, and Alice Weidel, of the far-right AfD.

The far-right had its strongest showing since World War II, while the center-left Social Democrats had their worst postwar result.

As an openly gay politician who lives with her Sri Lanka-born partner in Switzerland, Alice Weidel was an unusual choice to many to lead Germany's far-right and anti-immigration AfD into Sunday's elections.

Millions of Germans are voting in snap elections. The centre-right CDU is predicted to win the biggest share of votes, putting its leader Friedrich Merz in pole position to be next chancellor. Follow live updates.

German opposition leader Friedrich Merz’s conservatives have won a lackluster victory in a national election Sunday, projections show.

As Sunday’s snap federal election nears, political parties are intensifying their efforts in the final stretch to drum up support. View on euronews

German chancellor Olaf Scholz conceded defeat for his centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) after what he called “a bitter election result” on Sunday. Exit polls showed his party finishing in third place, taking just 16 per cent of the votes, with its worst postwar result in a national parliamentary election.

Voting started for the general election in Germany on Sunday, which opinion polls suggest will bring a new chancellor and a new governing coalition, CNN reported.Earlier in November, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) fired his finance minister.

Germany votes in a national election following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition. Conservative leader Friedrich Merz leads the race, while far-right AfD eyes historic gains. Over 500,

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Show more Show less Alice Weidel, top candidate of the far ... to a pre-election TV debate where she sparred with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his main rival, the conservative Friedrich Merz.