A mayoral candidate who was stabbed in the neck as she campaigned in Cologne has been elected into office.

Henriette Reker was seriously injured in the lone wolf attack, which was carried out by a man who police say has been actively involved with the far-right in recent years.

On Sunday night, Ms Reker secured 52.7% of the vote – giving her a mandate as the mayor of Germany's fourth-largest city.

The 58-year-old is currently responsible for housing refugees in Cologne, and according to German media, her attacker had expressed opposition to how the country is responding to the crisis.

Psychological tests have concluded the knifeman can be held criminally responsible for his actions, and he is being held in custody on suspicion of attempted murder and dangerous bodily harm.

Ms Reker's aide was also severely wounded in the attack, along with three people who tried to intervene in the stabbings.

Doctors have said an operation on Ms Reker went well, and she is expected to make a full recovery.

She had run for office as an independent, but had the backing of Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats party – as well as the Greens and the Free Democrats.

(Sky News)