The final challenge between Olaf Scholz and Friedrich Merz is being played out remotely, between Potsdam and Munich, one in the east and the other in the west of the country. Germany is going to the polls increasingly divided, with Alice Weidel's far-right party taking over TikTok , as in the former Laender of the GDR.

Scholz, the Social Democratic Chancellor who according to polls is at the end of his political career, is showing no signs of giving up and would continue to aim for victory. While CDU leader Merz, who is just a step away from the Chancellery , has assured: "I will give Germany a strong voice in Europe."

A solid and stable government in Berlin is what many observers believe is needed, especially while from overseas Donald Trump is surprising Europeans and Volodymyr Zelensky, who is on the latest cover of Spiegel with the title "betrayed". Even within the Republic there is a demand for a more incisive policy, in a scenario made even darker by the succession of attacks : the last Friday evening, of anti-Semitic origin, was committed in the heart of the capital, among the famous steles of the Holocaust memorial, by a nineteen-year-old Syrian who wanted to "kill Jews". Attacks that can favor the far right.

"I don't believe in miracles but in victory," said Scholz, who is counting on the undecided, a fifth of the 59 million eligible to vote , which is no small number. "I am convinced that this time too, many will decide at the ballot box," he said. Many will choose the SPD and "we will be strong enough for me to continue to lead the country." Scholz has contradicted Trump on several occasions, on peace in Ukraine, as well as on claims towards Greenland and Canada, and today he assured "firm positions."

Merz (CDU) insisted: "As Federal Chancellor I will again be an active part of shaping European policy, Germany will have a strong voice in the EU and I will respect our interests in Europe with Europe. We must be at the main table, we must assert our interests vis-à-vis Russia, China and if necessary also the USA."

Polls are already casting doubt on the actual political strength of the future Christian Democrat chancellor: the growth of small parties is putting at risk the Grosse Koalition of CDU and SPD, the real chance for a stable government , according to some analysts. A three-party government would lead the country into chaos, as happened with the red-yellow-green executive, which collapsed after the ouster of liberal leader Christian Lindner.

According to the latest Insa poll, published by Bild, the Union of Conservatives would be at 29.5%, followed by the far-right AfD at 21%, the SPD is at a standstill at 15%. The Greens have 12.5%. The Left would be at 7.5 and the BSW of Sahra Wagenknecht is given at 5%, the Liberals with 4.5% risk entering the Bundestag (the threshold is 5%).

The climate is heated, as can be seen in the streets of several cities in the country, where people have been demonstrating for days against the far right . Even on the eve of these early elections. "Anti-Semitism is the shame of this country," thundered the Green Robert Habeck, who is also running for chancellor. "And it must be fought with all means. This means any form of anti-Semitism. There must be no gray areas."

Voting will take place from 8 am to 6 pm, immediately after the first exit polls, then the counting and the assignment of seats. Depending on the results, it could take months to form a government. It depends on the results and the ease with which the parties will be able to form a coalition .

At 2 pm, the turnout was 52% , a significant increase compared to 36.5% in 2021. On that occasion, however, due to the pandemic, a record number of votes cast by post were recorded. The overall turnout in the last elections was 76.4%.

(Online Union)

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