Polls open in Germany for pivotal national election

German voters are casting their ballots in a national election, featuring incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz and opposition leader Friedrich Merz. This election also includes candidates from the Green Party and the far-right AfD for the first time. Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time, with over 59 million eligible voters, including 2.3 million first-time voters. The election follows the collapse of Scholz's coalition in November, leading to this early vote. Germany's electoral system typically requires coalition-building, as no party is expected to gain an absolute majority. The outcome may influence Europe's approach to current geopolitical issues.