Germany’s centre-right CDU and CSU parties have won the federal elections with about 28.5 to 29 per cent of the vote according to exit polls, paving the way for CDU leader Friedrich Merz to become chancellor at a time of economic and political upheaval in Europe’s largest democracy.

Germany's centre-right CDU/CSU bloc is on track for a clear victory in Sunday's parliamentary elections even as support for the far right surged, according to exit polls from public broadcasters ARD and ZDF.

The biggest losers of these elections are the Social Democrats and the Free Democrats, who were part of the previous coalition. 'It is uncertain whether this party will meet the 5% threshold required to enter the Bundestag,