The greatest fear of many conservative Southern German politicians may now be a reality: the outcome of German elections may be decided in the East. Specifically, by one district in the city of Dresden. Here, 219,000 voters have yet to vote and could very well bring Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's Social Democrats (SPD) into a dead heat with the opposition. In Sunday's election, the SPD chalked up a mere three parliamentary seats less than their main rivals, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU). But so far all coalition possibilities have hit snags and it remains up in the air if Schröder or his challenger Angela Merkel will end up sitting in the chancellery.

The delayed vote is scheduled to take place on Oct. 2 and became necessary after a candidate running on the far-right National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD) ticket died suddenly of a stroke while campaigning. In order to give her replacement candidate time to campaign, the election was put off by two weeks. Now, with the results from the rest of the country resulting in a virtual stalemate, Dresden could make all the difference. The stage is set for a massive showdown, where candidates may go door to door in Dresden, battling for each crucial vote.

Even before election day, such a scenario was discussed. The newly formed Left Party went so far as to reserve the piazza in the center of the old town for a September 28 and 29 rally featuring Oskar Lafontaine, one of its charismatic leaders. The CDU's candidate, Andreas Lämmel, already a local Dresden politician, has promised a hard political fight and has declared Dresden a political "battle ground." The SPD in Dresden has even asked the federal party for support for their candidate, Marlies Volkmer.

In truth, it is the complicated permutations of the German electoral system that have turned Dresden into such a hot button area. Although only one representative will actually be elected in the district, Germany's "second vote" system -- in which individuals vote for a party they want to see in parliament -- could produce three extra parliamentary seats for Dresden. These are known as "overhang" seats and are created to reflect more accurately and more democratically a party's true support. And it is these seats that are being eyed by the politicians. The current breakdown of seats in parliament is SPD 222, CDU 225. So those three seats could make a big difference and transform Dresden into the German kingmaker.

Dresden Poker

Meanwhile, the delayed vote is stirring up judicial tension. Some experts are claiming that Dresdeners are being given an unfair advantage and that their votes will hold unfair weight. When they vote, they will know how close the federal race is, they argue, and that knowledge may affect how they vote. Given such a charged atmosphere, disputes about the election results are likely.

Historically, the disputed area is a CDU stronghold. But the party's grip there is far from tight. In 2002 elections, for instance, CDU candidate Christa Reichard won with a 33.8 percent mandate in the first vote. But, in the second vote, the SPD won. In the inner city, there is a "regular, left-leaning voters' block," said Dresden-based political scientist Werner Patzelt. And, in the old communist block housing complexes, left-leaning candidates certainly have the upper hand.