Angela Merkel expected to win fourth term as Germans go to the polls

Chancellor Angela Merkel is widely expected to win a fourth term in office as Germans go to the polls.

Mrs Merkel has campaigned on her record as chancellor for 12 years, emphasising the country's record-low unemployment, strong economic growth, balanced budget and growing international importance.

That has helped give her conservative bloc a lead in the polls ahead of today's election over the centre-left Social Democrats of challenger Martin Schulz.

The latest polls have Mrs Merkel's bloc at 34-37% support, the Social Democrats with 21-22% and the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, with 10-13% support.

- AP