Germans vote in national election as conservatives and far-right gain support

Germans are voting in a national election, with polls indicating a potential return to power for Friedrich Merz's conservative party and a strong showing for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). This marks a shift in the political landscape. The election follows the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition, with the Social Democrats expected to face their worst results since World War Two. Public sentiment has shifted, with growing concerns over immigration and economic conditions. Coalition negotiations are anticipated to be complex, as mainstream parties have ruled out working with the AfD. Analysts suggest a possible coalition between Merz's conservatives and the Social Democrats, but the emergence of smaller parties may complicate the formation of a stable government.