GERMANS TO DECIDE ANGELA MERKEL'S FATE TODAY

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She is seeking a fourth term as chancellor, and to retain her Christian Democrat party's (CDU) status as the largest presence in Germany's Bundestag.

The CDU's coalition partner, the SPD, is its main opponent in the election.

Polling stations will be open from 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT) until 18:00.

The first exit polls are expected shortly after the close of voting.

Such a result could mean a change in the makeup of the current governing coalition.

Election marks shift in German politics

CONTESTANTS:

Martin Schulz, left, and Angela Merkel, right, both against a dark background — Image captionMartin Schulz and Angela Merkel are the main contenders

Angela Merkel: Widely expected to retain her seat, Mrs Merkel is seen internationally as a source of stability - having led Germany since 2005. Her decision to open Germany to asylum seekers during the peak of Europe's migrant crisis cost her politically, but she appears to have recovered

Martin Schulz: Leader of the centre-left SPD and Mrs Merkel's main rival, he is also her coalition partner - which has proved troublesome during the campaign, as he sought to criticise her politics

Alice Weidel and Alexander Gauland: The top candidates for the right-wing AfD. Achieving seats in the Bundestag - or potentially becoming the third-largest party, as some campaign polls suggested - would be a major victory

Martin Schulz, leader of the Social Democrats (SPD) and a former president of the European parliament, is Mrs Merkel's biggest rival for Chancellor.

But Mrs Merkel, with 12 years of experience in the office, is widely expected to retain her position.

Among the parties expected to win seats is the right-wing nationalist, anti-Islam Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

The party has so far held seats only in regional government, but has grown in popularity during a campaign focused on immigration issues.

Other significant contenders include Die Linke (the Left), the Greens, and the Free Democrats (FDP).

Some 61.5 million people aged over 18 are eligible to vote in federal elections, which are held every four years.

There are two separate votes - one for a candidate in their constituency, and one for their preferred political party.

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