Exit polls show Merke's Christian Democrats ahead
Angela Merkel's party is ahead with 34.5% of the votes in Germany's most populous state, according to an exit poll.
Her party appears poised to take power in the region from the Social Democrats, who are in second at 30.5%. The FDP won 12%, the Greens 6%, the anti-immigrate AdF at 7.5% and the Left Part at 5%.
Ahead of the vote, the polls had been too close to call. A win is a great sign for Merkel ahead of the national vote in September.
