But surveys ahead of the vote show the centre-left party running neck-and-neck with Merkel's Christian Democratic Union, with some even placing the CDU ahead. The surveys were the latest indication that initial enthusiasm for the new SPD leader, Martin Schulz, could be fizzling out. That support failed however to translate into votes in the last two state elections, when the CDU won comfortably. Local vote, national stakesIn the run-up to Sunday's vote, Schulz held more than 30 rallies in the state, where he began his political career in his hometown of Wuerselen. But Merkel has also been pounding the streets in the state of 18 million people, including 4.2 million of migrant origin.

Source: The Local May 14, 2017 07:41 UTC