Munich, 22 February 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Various events are planned across Germany on Saturday, the final day of the election campaign before polls open on Sunday.

The conservative bloc made up of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian sister party Christian Social Union (CSU) is holding its final event on Saturday afternoon in Munich.

The main speakers at the Löwenbräukeller beer hall in the Bavarian capital are the bloc's top candidate and CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who is the front-runner to become the next German chancellor, CSU leader and Bavarian Premier Markus Söder, and CSU top candidate Alexander Dobrindt.

The event is taking place under strict security measures and behind closed doors.

As in the past few weeks of the short election campaign, all speakers will emphasize the great unity of the two parties in the bloc.

If the polls are to be believed, while victory for the CDU/CSU in the election is assured, forming a government could be a major challenge.

According to some institutes, a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD) would only achieve a narrow majority mathematically.

The CDU/CSU fear they will have to form a coalition with two additional partners. Like the failed outgoing centre-left coalition of the SPD, the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), this would mean less capability for action and greater instability.

In the evening, voters will have a final chance to watch the appearance of three top candidates vying to be chancellor on television.

The provate broadcasters ProSieben and SAT.1 are organizing a "speed dating" event where citizens can question them.

Incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the SPD, Alice Weidel of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), and Robert Habeck of the Greens have agreed to participate.

Merz has excused himself due to scheduling conflicts.

Demonstrations are also planned in several German cities the day before the election for the lower house of parliament, or Bundestag. They are protesting right-wing elements in places like Hamburg and Hanover, or calling for diversity and tolerance in places like Kiel.