According to the provisional count, Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) won the federal election by a narrow margin, Reuters reports.
With this, the center-left SPD has a ‘clear mandate’ to lead a government for the first time since 2005, bringing an end to 16 years of conservative-led rule under Angela Merkel.
Additional details
“Conservative CDU/CSU bloc under Armin Laschet also vows to seek coalition.”
“The Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats to form a majority.”
“Chancellor Angela Merkel is not seeking a fifth term.”
But, until a new chancellor is sworn in, Merkel will continue to run the government in a caretaker capacity with her current cabinet.
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- German election outcome: A cliff-hanger – ING
- German Social Democrats (SPD) in pole position to lead