Voting in Germany’s parliamentary elections began at 8 a.m. local time on Sunday and will continue until 6 p.m. Nearly 60 million voters will choose their representatives for the next four years. According to BBC, this election could have a significant impact on the country’s future in European politics. Preliminary results are expected to be released after 6 p.m. Surveys indicate that immigration is the biggest issue for the German public, with 37% of people considering it a top concern—an increase of 14% from last month. The election is also crucial due to concerns about the economic downturn and rising violence. However, there are fears regarding the rise of right-wing politics. Due to a decline in popularity for current Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Green Party), CDU-CSU leader Friedrich Merz is currently leading the race.