Germany heads to the polls on Sunday; outcome could be as consequential to Europe's future as last election was to U.S

Germany heads to the polls on Sunday ; the outcome could be as consequential to Europe 's future as the last election was to America and the rest of the world.

In December , the center-left coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz collapsed, forcing him to call snap elections.

Alternative for Germany (AfD) expected to achieve one of its best results, focusing on anti-immigration policies and Euroskepticism .

Since Putin annexed Crimea , Western leaders have tried to sideline and weaken Russia .

Even as recently as twenty years ago , Russia was considered a reliable economic partner’ of Europe .

Gerhard Schröder , who was the Chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005 , had a notably friendly relationship with Putin , even celebrating birthdays and holidays together.