Polls open in Germany for snap parliamentary election following coalition collapse

Polls have opened in Germany for a snap parliamentary election after Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition collapsed in November. The conservative CDU/CSU leads in opinion polls, with candidate Friedrich Merz potentially becoming the next chancellor. Voter turnout is reportedly higher than in previous elections, with around 52% by 2 p.m., compared to 36.5% at the same time in 2021. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is expected to be the largest opposition party but is shunned by other major parties. A man was arrested for threatening polling staff with a knife at a station in Krefeld. The election coincides with Germany's carnival season, allowing voters to participate in costume, provided they do not disrupt polling.