Germany’s right-wing populist Alternative für Deutschland party, or AfD, is on course for a stunning result in Sunday’s German election, with reports indicating one-in-five voters

Exit polls suggest that Friedrich Merz, the candidate for the conservative Christian Democrats who has vowed to bring stronger leadership in Europe, will be Germany’s next leader. The hard-right AfD party was in second place.

Germany's Carnival celebrations have kicked off with revelers heading to Cologne and Düsseldorf in particular. Added security measures are in place following recent attacks during public events.