The conservative CDU/CSU party has won the parliamentary elections in Germany. The leader of the formation, Friedrich Merz, is the main candidate for chancellor. During the campaign, the future head of the German government expressed support for closing the borders.

Millions of Germans are voting in snap elections. The centre-right CDU is predicted to win the biggest share of votes, putting its leader Friedrich Merz in pole position to be next chancellor. Follow live updates.

BERLIN - Preliminary results show that Germany's conservative bloc, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU), has emerged as the winner of the federal election, reclaiming its position as the largest force in parliament and signaling a major political shift.