Germany prepares for elections as immigration and economy dominate debate

Germany will hold elections on February 23, with immigration and the economy as key issues. The conservative CDU/CSU party is leading in polls, promising significant political change after the collapse of the previous coalition government. The Social Democrats (SPD) and the Free Democrats (FDP) are expected to face major losses, with the SPD potentially achieving its worst result since World War II. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is polling second, likely to double its vote share from 2021. Friedrich Merz, the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate, has criticized the current government for economic struggles and rising inflation. He has ruled out forming a coalition with the AfD, despite their recent parliamentary support for stricter asylum policies.