Germany goes to the polls - a look at the party leaders
Angela Merkel is the favorite to occupy the chancellor's seat for the next four years as polls show her CDU party ahead. But here's a look at other party heads who are hoping to improve the standing of their parties.
Merkel campaigning for votes
Chancellor Angela Merkel campaigning in Munich two days before the election was keen to stress her mantra of stability. Merkel heads the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). In Munich, she was campaigning for votes among the CDU's more conservative Bavarian sister party, the CSU (the Christian Social Union).
Merkel has opponents
Of course, not every one wants Merkel to serve another four year term as chancellor.
Schulz stays optimistic
Martin Schulz leads the Social Democratic Party in its bid to seize the reins of power from Merkel and her CDU party. Despite being at least 12 points behind in the polls, Schulz maintained a positive attitude on the campaign trail just two days before the vote.
Fighting for third place
Sahra Wagenknech leads Die Linke (The Left) party as it battles to finish third in the election. Polls show them with about 11 percent of the vote. Here she is campaigning in Berlin two days before the election.
The far-right makes gains
Alexander Gauland and Alice Weidel lead the far-right, anti-immigrant, AfD (Alternative for Deutschland) party that appears destined to smash its way into parliament with 11 percent or more of the vote. They are battling with Die Linke for third place. Here, the two party leaders are speaking at a press conference in Berlin earlier this week.
Green Party duo
The Grüne Partei (Green Party) is led by Katrin Goering-Eckhardt and Cem Özdemir. Their poll numbers are in the single digits. They're expected to cross the 5 percent threshold needed to hold seats in parliament but that's uncertain.
Return of the Free Democrats
Christian Lindner leads the Free Democratic Party (FDP) as it tries to return to parliament after a four year absence. The classic right-of-center party failed to cross the 5 percent threshold in the 2013 election, leaving it without representation in the Bundestag for the first time since it entered parliament in 1949.
The head of the CSU
Christian Social Union leader Horst Seehofer maintains the party's close (sister party) ties with the CDU, which virtually assures it of a role in government.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has led Germany for the past 12 years and looks set to lead the country for another four years, as her Christian Democratic Party has a commanding lead in opinion polls. Her nearest competitor is Martin Schulz of the Social Democratic Party, but he is about 12 points behind according to the polls.