Exit polls: Merkel wins, far-right surges in German vote

24 September 2017, 7:14 pm

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Exit polls suggest German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc has finished first in Germany’s election, putting her in a position to lead the country for a fourth term.

Exit polls conducted for public television channels ARD and ZDF suggest support for Merkel’s conservatives was between 32.5 percent and 33.5% in Sunday’s vote.

They indicate challenger Martin Schulz’s Social Democrats trailed in second place with between 20% and 21% support.

The polls also suggest that the anti-migrant, nationalist Alternative for Germany party will enter the national parliament for the first time with 13% to 13.5% support.

— AP