(27 Sep 1998) German/Eng/Nat

German voters facing historic changes and stubborn unemployment chose a new face over four more years of Chancellor Helmut Kohl, according to exit polls in Sunday's national election.

Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democrats headed for victory in the race for a chancellor to shepherd Europe's largest nation through the government's return to Berlin and the switch from the trusted mark to the European common currency.

Chancellor Helmut Kohl cast his ballot in his western home town of Oggersheim after attending a church service.

Kohl had one word to say as he voted - when he was asked how he felt, the 68-year-old chancellor said, "Good."

Kohl, the West's longest serving leader, is trying to win an unprecedented fifth four-year term.

He has narrowed a wide gap between himself and challenger Gerhard Schroeder in recent weeks to turn the race into a cliffhanger.

After casting his vote, Kohl said he was looking forward to the election result.

SOUNDBITE: (German)
"I'm in a good mood, as you can see. I have fought a huge election campaign, and now I'm really looking forward to the voters' decision. To have respect for the voters is an aspect of democracy."
SUPER CAPTION: Helmut Kohl, German Chancellor

The other main contender, Schroeder, voted in his own home town, Hanover.

When he and his wife Doris turned up at a city centre polling station just 100 metres (yards) from their home, he admitted he was a bit nervous about the outcome of the election.

He told reporters he was feeling fine but didn't want to hide the fact he was a bit excited.

Potsdam, an east German city on the outskirts of Berlin, was the place where, in 1945, the United States, Britain and the Soviet Union worked out how postwar Germany would be divided.

Voters in Potsdam are now living in a united Germany thanks in part to Kohl, credited as the leader behind the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The result in the east will be crucial to the outcome of the elections.

Kohl earned a lot of respect in 1990 for his part in uniting Germany.

But now many Germans in the east have become disillusioned with the Christian Democrat government.

They feel Kohl hasn't delivered on promises to raise their standard of living.

SOUNDBITE: (German)
"I hope that a new government will come to power today and that something will happen. Not only small change, but basic reforms must take place for the whole country.
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop, Voter

In Germany's capital, Bonn, residents were enthusiastically going to the polls.

It will be the last general elections with Bonn as the capital - the new chancellor will oversee the change of the capital to Berlin.

And that's not the only historic change Germany will see during the next chancellor's term.

The switch from Germany's trusted mark to the euro was also on the agenda.

Kohl was projected by his Christian Democrats (C-D-U) as a stable leader with international clout at a time of economic turmoil in Russia and ongoing conflict in the Balkans.

Schroeder is seen as a fresh face, ready to bring change to a Germany some say is stagnating after 16 years of a C-D-U government with Kohl at its helm.

But some voters didn't want to take their chances with an untried leader.

Some voters were happy with the Kohl government.

SOUNDBITE: (German)
"It will be really close, but I hope Kohl and the C-D-U will win, I do not think he has done anything wrong. One should not forget that what he did for the East for a big achievements."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop, Voter


SOUNDBITE: (English)

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