Voting takes place on Sunday between 08:00-18:00 (07:00 -17:00 GMT) Millions of postal votes have already been cast, and the result is expected to become clear during the evening. The party with the most votes will nominate a candidate for chancellor. The candidate must secure an absolute majority in the Bundestag to be sworn in as the country’s new leader. Immigration has become a major focus of the election, fueled by concerns over high-profile attacks allegedly carried out by asylum seekers or migrants. The economy is also a pressing issue, with Russia’s war in Ukraine contributing to Germany’s economic hardships. Over 59 million German citizens are eligible to vote, including 2.3 million first-time voters. The electorate leans heavily towards older voters, with 42% aged 60 or above, compared to 13% under 30. Recent polls indicate that the CDU/CSU alliance is leading with 29% of voter support, followed by the AfD with 21%. The SPD trails behind with 16%, while the Greens have secured 12% of Voter backing.
