The most important electoral process in the largest European entity, Germany, started today, Sunday, as polling stations opened in the German elections minutes ago; To choose a new successor to Chancellor Angela Merkel.
German voters are casting their ballots in a tight general election in which the centre-left SPD poses a major challenge to conservatives preparing for a post-Merkel era.
Ms Merkel has been in power since 2005 but plans to resign after the election, making the vote a pivotal event for Europe's largest economy.
The convergence of the results means that the leading parties are entering into consultations with each other before embarking on formal negotiations to form a coalition that may take months, which keeps Merkel, 67, In the power of a caretaker.
Conservative candidate Armin Laschet is contested by SPD candidate Olaf Schulz and Merkel's coalition finance minister, who has won all three television debates for the top candidates.
The closest scenario is that the winner of the SPD, CDU-CSU alliance will form a coalition with the Greens and the Liberal Democrats.
