Exit polls show the center-right Christian Democratic Union party leading, with the AfD party heading towards the strongest showing of the far-right since World War II.

Germany’s centre-right leader Friedrich Merz won federal elections on Sunday, clearing his path to become Chancellor at a time of economic and political upheaval for Europe’s biggest democracy. Merz’s CDU/CSU secured around 29 per cent of the vote,

Germany's centre-right CDU/CSU bloc is on track for a clear victory in Sunday's parliamentary elections even as support for the far right surged, according to exit polls from public broadcasters ARD and ZDF.