Polls open in German election which could shape Europe’s response to war

Chancellor Olaf Scholz gives a press statement after the end of the election campaign (Kay Nietfeld/dpa/AP)

The polls are open across Germany in an election that could shape Europe’s response to the new Trump administration in the US, the Russia-Ukraine war and security across the continent.

The election pits the incumbent chancellor against the opposition leader, the vice chancellor and, for the first time, a leader of a far-right party.