( CNN ) -- Germany 's voters will cast their ballots this weekend to decide who will lead the country through a challenging time as it grapples with its leading role in the Eurozone crisis . But just as the world has changed over the four years since the last election in Germany , so too has the way election issues are discussed . So , ahead of the polls , CNN invited the country 's six leading parties to take part in a social media debate . Angela Merkel : Europe 's Mrs. Nein . Journalists from across Europe have posed a series of tough questions via 15-second Instagram video clips , challenging representatives from the parties to respond to them -- and to each other -- in the same short , sharp and shareable way . And while the questions have featured a range of hot topics such as Syria , Turkey and green energy , as on the campaign trail , it is the economy which has dominated the discussion . Christoph Teuner , of German television channel n-tv , asked whether German taxpayers would get the short end of the stick from costly attempts to fight the crisis in the Eurozone . Volker Berkhout of the Pirates Party , sounded a gloomy note : `` There will be a rude awakening . The financial crisis is threatening democracy in Europe . We want owners and creditors to be liable for the losses ... losses should not be socially mutualized any further . '' But Norbert Barthle of the ruling Christian Democrats ( CDU/CSU ) , insisted : `` Germany and its people are benefitting considerably from the euro . The risks are manageable and transparent . It would only be a rude awakening if the opposition pushed through their plans for the mutualisation of debt . '' Andrea Nahles of the opposition Social Democratic Party ( SPD ) disagreed : `` The truth is not being told . Another rescue package is due for Greece . The question is what we are spending the money for . Mrs Merkel is one-sided in her focus on saving , and that will not bring the Greek economy back on its feet . '' While Roland Klaus of the new anti-euro party Alternatives for Germany ( AfD ) offered a prediction -- and a potential solution : `` After the election , Greece as well as Ireland and Portugal will need further billions , without this being of any help to people in those countries . That 's why we 're calling for a separate currency for the crisis countries , allowing them to recover using their own strengths . '' Under the rules of the debate , each question is set first thing in the morning ; the parties have until midnight to post their responses via Instagram . If they wish , they can also offer rebuttals to their opponents ' responses . Peer Steinbrueck : The man who stirred up German politics . Viewers watching the clips are asked share them online , and to pick their favourite -- and least favourite -- answers . Peter Bale , vice president of digital at CNN International said the innovative debate format reflected the fresh new ways in which information and conversations were being shared online : `` Short video is the medium of the moment , as Instagram and Vine are demonstrating . `` We think this experiment in Germany offers a chance to try a new approach in this exciting area . We 're always keen to innovate in story-telling and this was a great opportunity to try something new . `` And just as the decisions made by German voters on Sunday could have a lasting impact on the future of the eurozone , so CNN 's 15 Second Debates could offer a glimpse of the way political discussions are carried out in the years to come . '' See more of CNN 's 15 Second Debates .
Voters in Germany go to polls this weekend ; campaign dominated by economic issues . The election is the first since Chancellor Angela Merkel took office and her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party has been hit hard by a series of scandals over its handling of asylum seekers. Debate takes the form of a series of 15 second Instagram videos . CNN 's Peter Bale says project could offer glimpse of political discussions of the future .