Postal vote begins ahead of Germany's September election

Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader and the party's top candidate for parliamentary elections Armin Laschet speaks during a news conference after a party leadership meeting, in Berlin, Germany August 16, 2021. REUTERS/Christian Mang/Pool

BERLIN (Reuters) - Postal voting for Germany's federal election began on Monday, piling pressure on conservative chancellor candidate Armin Laschet to reinvigorate his floundering campaign or else risk losing out to a left-leaning coalition.

An official at the Federal Election Commissioner's office confirmed postal ballots would be sent out from Monday, six weeks ahead of the Sept. 26 election, after which Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to step down following 16 years in power.