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epa09484080 Alternative for Germany party (AfD) deputy chairwoman and top candidate for the upcoming federal elections Alice Weidel, Free Democratic Party (FDP) chairman and top candidate for the upcoming federal elections Christian Lindner, Christian Social Union (CSU) chairman Markus Soeder and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party chairman and top candidate for the upcoming federal elections Armin Laschet sit next to each other during the beginning of the recording of the TV debate 'Die Schlussrunde' (lit.: the final round) in Berlin, Germany, 23 September 2021. Ahead of the German federal elections, that take place on 26 September 2021, German public TV station ARD and ZDF host a TV debate with candidates for the chancellorship and the chairmen of the CSU as a joint closing round. EPA/CLEMENS BILAN / POOL