As Germany nears a pivotal election this Sunday, over 59 million eligible voters are ready to influence the nation's future leadership.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has held office for more than three years, heads the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which has faced challenges due to internal conflicts and external pressures that have weakened its coalition government.

The election features four major parties: the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Christian Social Union (CSU), the SPD, the Greens, and the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right party that is gaining traction.

Germany's electoral system utilizes a mixed approach of direct and proportional representation, requiring voters to cast two votes—one for a local candidate and another for a political party, which affects the overall allocation of seats in the Bundestag.

The Bundestag consists of 630 seats, with 299 filled through direct elections and the remaining 331 allocated based on the percentage of votes each party receives.

Voting will take place from 08:00 to 18:00 local time (07:00 to 17:00 GMT), and millions of postal ballots have already been returned.

Final results are expected shortly after the polls close on Sunday evening.

A significant segment of the electorate consists of older individuals, with 42% aged 60 or older and only 13% under 30. This demographic divide may impact the political landscape and influence party strategies.

Current polling shows the CDU/CSU alliance leading with around 29% support, followed by the AfD at 21%.

The SPD is trailing at 16%, while the Greens have about 12% of the voting intentions.

Scholz's administration has faced considerable hurdles, significantly influenced by the economic fallout from Russia's war in Ukraine, alongside domestic policy disputes that have led to voter dissatisfaction.

Immigration has surfaced as a key campaign issue, intensified by recent events related to asylum seekers and migrants.

The economic consequences of the Ukrainian conflict have also raised concerns, leading to debates over fiscal policies and social stability among the electorate.

Prominent party leaders include the incumbent Olaf Scholz, Friedrich Merz from the CDU, and Alice Weidel of the AfD.

Each candidate presents unique political platforms, with Merz seen as a long-time favorite, while Weidel's calls for stricter immigration regulations resonate with a substantial portion of the voting public.

After the election, the party that secures a majority will be responsible for proposing a chancellor candidate, who must gain an absolute majority in the Bundestag.

This situation could lead to extensive coalition talks and a shift in the government’s composition, impacting the country’s political direction.