Four candidates are bidding to be Germany's next leader in Sunday's election. The would-be chancellors are the incumbent, the opposition leader, the current vice chancellor and — for the first time — a leader of a far-right party.

Four candidates are bidding to be Germany’s next leader in Sunday’s election. The would-be chancellors are the incumbent, the opposition leader, the current vice chancellor and — for the first time — a leader of a far-right party.

Germany faces an existential election next Sunday for the future of the country, in the context of a significant advance of the far right, an economy that is heading into a third year of recession and huge geopolitical challenges that have caused a situation of uncertainty unprecedented in recent decades.