ALLEN: Saturday is the last day for campaigning in Germany's national elections before voters go to the polls Sunday.</s>HOWELL: The German chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to win a fourth term in office. Our Atika Shubert follows the story live in Berlin this hour. Atika, Angela Merkel, known for her pragmatic style, that has been her biggest positive for many people. But she took a great deal of heat for her decision to allow thousands of migrants into Germany. How did she effectively weather that storm of criticism to now be sailing toward another term?</s>ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's really interesting. I mean this is a vote that could, at the same time, see her reconfirmed in her mandate to govern. She is seeking a fourth term, another four years in office. That would make her one of the longest-serving chancellors in Germany. And right now she is far ahead in the polls with her Christian Democrats Party. At the same time, however, the AFD, Alternative for Germany Party, the first far right party that looks to enter parliament since World War II, is now pulling in third place. So what we could see here is a vote that at the same time says, yes, we want Chancellor Merkel to continue but also a protest vote against her refugee policy. So we have a very interesting setup here. Now it is hard to know exactly; the polls are always shifting but one of the key factors will be voter turnout, especially on the issue of, as you point out, refugees, whether or not people feel motivated enough to come out and actually vote and have a say. AFD voters are very motivated against her refugee policy. The question is whether her supporters are equally motivated to come out and vote as well.</s>HOWELL: The decision that will have implications on the world stage. Atika Shubert live for us in Berlin. Thank you for the report today.</s>ALLEN: That's our news for this hour. There is much more ahead. But thank you for watching. I'm Natalie Allen.</s>HOWELL: And I'm George Howell. The news continues here on CNN right after this break.
Angela Merkel Runs for a Fourth Term.