Europe's most important election

Germany goes to the polls on Sunday, with political experts saying that Chancellor Angela Merkel — who is affectionately called "Mutti" (which translates to "mummy") — likely to win a fourth term in office

Who is Angela Merkel?

Party: Christian Democratic Union The former chemist, 63, who was born in East Germany, has employment, tax cuts and ongoing public investment at the forefront of her manifesto. She shook up a sleepy campaign when she shared the secret of her potato soup recipe and opened up about her reclusive husband Joachim Sauer, who is rarely seen in the limelight. "He supports me by doing a lot of the grocery shopping," she said

Why is Merkel's win important?

Her victory will reinforce what Germany already stands for — EU unity. She is also considered an important backer of the all-powerful German industry, and will uphold free trade and action against climate change

What happens if Merkel loses?

The leadership vacuum would see France's Emmanuel Macron become Europe's main power broker

The EU, already shaken by Brexit, Donald Trump, and the rise of far-right parties across Europe, will lose the stability that Merkel brings The euro could slide into a crisis, but unlike last time, there would be no strong leader to bail out defaulting countries