Germans share their views ahead of national election as Angela Merkel holds lead in polls
Updated
There are two big races in Germany later today.
The first is the Berlin marathon — an event that attracts a million people.
The second is the country's much anticipated national election, which seems to be a foregone conclusion.
Conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel holds a big lead in most opinion polls over her main rival centre-left Social Democrat Martin Schulz.
The right-wing nationalist group, Alternative for Germany, appears to have surged in the final days of the campaign and may finish third overall.
But even though this election campaign has remained relatively calm and predictable, big issues have continued to bubble under the surface.
The ABC spoke to locals at the finish line of the city's marathon to get their views on the political situation in Europe's most powerful nation.
Bernd Berger
"Merkel will win and remain Chancellor, Martin Schulz has no chance and will finish second, there will be no surprises.
"We will have another grand coalition [of the two main centre-right and centre-left parties]."
Karola Marsch
"I'm really interested to see what will happen.
"I hope Alternative for Germany won't get 12 per cent but I'm worried they will."
Andres Greiner
"I expect the Alternative for Germany to finish third overall.
"I wish it was not the case but I expect it.
"It's not good, many people are looking for something other than the grand coalition, and many of these people are unhappy with their situation.
"They are looking away from the major parties."
Nina Hula
"Hopefully many people will vote and not stay at home because they think they can't change anything.
"The grand coalition isn't doing enough to protect the environment and prevent climate change."
Markus Mayer
"The grand coalition has been in power too long.
"It has existed for so long that no-one seems to be able to put forward another alternative.
"Of course we don't want Alternative for Germany, but the middle parties are too big."
Annette Hoffmann
"Ms Merkel works hard for Germany.
"She has a few years left and has done a good job. I think she is good for the country.
"She's definitely going to win."
Topics: government-and-politics, elections, world-politics, germany
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