Germany votes in election focused on economy migration and far-right rise

German voters are electing a new government amid concerns over economic stagnation, migration issues, and the future of Ukraine. The election was moved up after Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition collapsed in November. The center-right opposition, led by Friedrich Merz, is favored to win, with polls showing support between 28-32%. The far-right Alternative for Germany party is also gaining traction, polling around 20%, its highest since 2017. Coalition negotiations are expected to be complex, as no party is likely to achieve an outright majority. Key issues include economic recovery and migration policies, with Merz proposing stricter border controls and deportations.