Merkel allies win key German state election

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Bavarian allies have scored a resounding win in a state vote, provisional results show.

Sunday's results, from Germany's second-most populous region, point to a strong likelihood that Merkel, leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU), will clinch a third term in next Sunday's parliamentary elections.

However, the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), junior partners in Bavaria and under Merkel in Berlin, got just three percent, dropping out of the regional parliament.

Al Jazeera's Nick Spicer reports from Bavaria, Germany.