<span style="color: black;">In Germany, citizens were heading to the polls on Sunday to vote in a closely fought federal election that will, in the coming days or weeks, result in a new Chancellor taking the helm of the country. 67-year-old Chancellor Angela Merkel, after almost 16 years in the top job, will step down once it becomes clear who her successor will be. Polling predictions on Saturday suggested the race was too close to call, with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) holding a small but narrowing lead over Merkel's party, the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU).</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: black;">Candidates who are in the fray to replace Merkel are Armin Laschet, a long-time ally of Merkel and leader of the CDU since January; Olaf Scholz, leader of the left-leaning SPD; and the Greens' Annalena Baerbock.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: black;">Environmental concerns and economic worries have emerged as key issues in campaigning.</span><br />''