The Latest Breaking News from Germany

Europe holds its breath as world’s third largest economic power and most populous EU country faces crossroads

German voters are choosing their new government in an election dominated by worries about the years-long stagnation of Europe’s biggest economy, pressure to curb migration and growing uncertainty over the future of Ukraine and Europe’s alliance with the United States

Germany's rocky path towards Sunday's early elections began when the outgoing coalition government collapsed in acrimony on November 6, the very day Donald Trump won re-election to the White House.

From immigration and Germany's ailing economy to cannabis and gender politics, here is a round-up of the burning issues on voters' minds in the run-up to Sunday's election.

As an openly gay politician who lives with her Sri Lanka-born partner in Switzerland, Alice Weidel was an unusual choice to many to lead Germany's far-right and anti-immigration AfD into Sunday's elections.

Germany holds elections on Sunday after its three-party "traffic light" coalition collapsed last year and could soon have a "black-red" government while a "Jamaica" or "blackberry" alliance is less likely.

German voters head to the polls on Sunday, with the conservatives the strong favourites after a campaign rocked by a far-right surge and the dramatic return of US President Donald Trump.

The popularity of the AfD, led by Alice Wiedel but in many ways guided by Mr Höcke, is swelling

On the eve of Germany's general elections, the capital Berlin bore witness to numerous demonstrations as a controversial far-right march clashed with a larger group of antifa protesters, challenging police efforts to keep the groups apart. RFI’s Jan Van der Made was on the ground, covering the escalating tensions.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and opposition leader Friedrich Merz appeal to voters before Sunday’s election.

THE INDEPENDENT VIEW: Editorial: The spectre of the anti-immigration right that is haunting Europe can be banished and parties occupying the centre-ground know what they have to do