Polling stations are open in Germany.

It's the first national election in Europe's largest economy since the region's debt crisis erupted four years ago.

Voters are expected to hand Chancellor Angela Merkel a third term.

But it's set to be a close race.

Merkel's current coalition partners the FDP have seen their support slip.

So her Christian Democrats may be forced into a grand coalition with the opposition Social Democrats.

SOUNDBITE: Nadja Orlowski, German voter, saying (German):

"I'm for a grand coalition."

SOUNDBITE: Unnamed German voter, saying (German):

"I think it will be a tight race and so it's even more important that everyone votes."

The SPD's Chancellor candidate Peer Steinbrueck cast his vote in Bonn.

He's previously served as Finance Minister under Merkel, but has said he won't take a ministerial post in her government again.

SOUNDBITE: Peer Steinbrueck, SPD Chancellor candidate, saying (German):