Dar es Salaam, Feb. 23 -- Germans are going to the polls after an intense election campaign dominated by their countrys faltering economy and a succession of deadly attacks that have made migration and security a focal issue.

Friedrich Merz, the 69-year-old conservative leader, is in pole position to become Germanys next chancellor, in a vote closely watched in Europe and the US.

He promises to fix most problems in four years – a tall order for Europes biggest economy and a creaking infrastructure.

If Merzs Christian Democrats (CDU) win, he will need to forge an alliance with at least one other party, most likely Olaf Scholzs Social Democrats, whose government collapsed late last year.

On the eve of the vote, Merz was adamant th...