German parties rally support ahead of election

Germany's political parties prepared to rally ir supporters and win over undecided voters Friday, two days before a national election that will determine who succeeds Chancellor Angela Merkel after 16 years in power. Merkel's center-right Union bloc and its candidate for chancellorship, Armin Laschet, have me small gains in polls in recent weeks. But it remains narrowly behind center-left Social Democrats, heed by Finance Minister Olaf Scholz.

Greens, who are putting forward ir own candidate for chancellor for first time, are trailing in third place, but could play kingmakers when it comes to forming a government. Merkel's party has struggled to energize its tritional base, which has so far failed to warm to Laschet, governor of North Rhine-Westphalia state.

" key question is wher se voters will overcome Laschet hurdle and vote for Union despite Laschet" said Peter Matuschek of polling company Forsa. "Or will y abstain from vote or even choose anor party."

Union bloc will hold its last big rally in Munich, while Social Democrats are holding an event in western city of Cologne. Greens will stage ir rally in nearby Duesseldorf. Climate change has been cited as most important issue by many in this election - youth groups plan to stage a large protest outside chancellery Friday to demand tougher action on climate change.

"When making ir election decision, people naturally don't just look at one issue, but actually want to know which party y are most likely to trust to solve this multitude of problems. In or words, topics are one thing, but what people trust parties to do is anor decisive factor," Matuschek said, ding that issue of climate is most important for Green voters, but for many or voters, groups or party supporters, it is an important issue, but only one among many.

economy and fallout from coronavirus pandemic have also played an important role during campaign. About 60.4 million Germans are eligible to vote for a new parliament on Sept. 26. strongest party will seek to form a governing coalition.