The most important thing is that AFD doesn't get to participate in governing, says doctor Arusha outside a polling station.
Outside a polling station in Reinickendorf, voter Maximilian has just cast his vote. The quiet area in northwestern Berlin is the electoral district in Germany that has been closest to the national result in the last election – here, the residents vote almost exactly like the country as a whole.
Maximilian is out with his fiancée Arusha, who lives in another part of town and is now on her way there to vote.
Actually, it can only get better. The most important thing now is to create some stability, because a lot in Germany is going in completely the wrong direction, says Maximilian, who works as an engineer.
Believes in a grand coalition
Arusha agrees.
The most important thing is that AFD doesn't get to participate in governing, she says.
Who do you hope will win the election?
I think it will be a grand coalition again (between the Christian Democratic CDU/CSU and the Social Democratic SPD). It's at least better than the current government.
She thinks that healthcare issues have received far too little attention in the election campaign.
I've just finished my medical training. Healthcare issues have almost been completely absent, but they're also relevant.
Susanne and Thomas have just cast their votes while their labrador puppy Jerry has been waiting impatiently on the street. Like many other Germans, they are worried about the state of the world and think that defense spending must now increase.
We must strengthen the military. When the US leaves us in the lurch, we must be able to defend ourselves, says Susanne.
"Have done a good job"
Uwe Kersten, who is a pensioner but previously worked as a mechanic in Berlin's public transport, hopes for a broad center government with Christian Democrats and Social Democrats.
They've done a good job for many years, he says, referring to the Merkel era.
He doesn't give much credit to the Greens, who are sitting in the outgoing government together with the Social Democrats and the liberal FDP.
They only talk about the environment. But first, the economy must work, he says.
In Kreuzberg, at the other end of Berlin, police student Leonie is out for a walk with a friend. She has voted by mail because she lives in Dortmund and is away on election day.
What do you want to see in the government after the election?
In any case, not one that includes AFD.
A lot suggests that Friedrich Merz will become the next Chancellor. What do you think of him?
Not so good, but yes, it will probably be that. Ideally, I would like to see the Greens or the Social Democrats in government.
