Polls will be closing in a few minutes as Germans elect a new national government. It is all but certain that Angela Merkel will remain Chancellor, but the make-up of the Bundestag (Germany's parliament) is very much up in the air.
This was one of the dullest elections in memory, which might explain why voter turnout has been so low. Both Merkel and her chief opponent - Frank-Walter Steinmeier ran lackluster campaigns. The only excitement has come from the smaller parties. The Left Party - DIE LINKE - in particular might surprise with a good showing of 13% or more, making it the third largest political force in the country.
Merkel was hoping for an end to the Black-Red coalition with the Social Democrats, and instead, forming a government with pro-business Liberals (FDP). But her low-key campaigning may have spelled doom for a Black-Yellow coalition (yellow being the color of the FDP).
Much information on the election (in English) can be found at the Deutsche Welle Web site.
Two of the issues facing voters in Germany today:
- Germany's continued participation in the Nato mission in Afghanistan. Merkel is in favor of continuing, but the war is deeply unpopular in Germany as it is here.
- Economy. Merkel and the Liberals want to step up the "reforms" - basically dismantling the Social Economy which has protected workers and provided prosperity to the majority of Germans. The SPD, the Greens, and especially the Left Party are resisting this (although the SPD lacks credibility on this issue).
UPDATE: Polls have closed, and it appears that Merkel will get her wish. The Liberals are projected to achieve 14.5% of the vote, a strong showing that will bring them into government with Merkel and the Christian Democrats. Disastrous results for the SPD (under 25%)while the Left Party surged to 12% (now Germany's 4th strongest party).