Quotes
I have personally decided that I will leave the party if the SPD makes Friedrich Merz chancellor,
Social Democrat supporter Philipp Bauer, 44, told AFP outside the party HQ on Sunday
The ball is in Friedrich Merz's court,
said SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil at a party press conferenceI can't support that,
said Bauer, who works as a lawyer in BerlinThe biggest challenge of all is going to be forming a stable coalition that also has the strength to cut the AfD down to size,
said political scientist Aiko Wagner of Berlin’s Free University
This is really the last warning to the political parties of the democratic centre in Germany to come to joint solutions,
Merz told a press conference
For a just peace, the attacked country must be part of peace negotiations,
Merz added, in what was interpreted as a sideswipe at the Trump administration after it last week began talks with Russia on ending the war that excluded Ukraine and EuropeWe must work together to see that we solve the problems in Germany” in order to “gradually deprive this party of its breeding ground
he told journalistsEurope stands unwaveringly by Ukraine’s side. Now more than ever, it holds true: We must put Ukraine in a position of strength.”
He posted on social media platform XWe have received a clear governing mandate, and we accept it,
Merz declared
Germany needs a functional government with a parliamentary majority,
he declaredThe surge in support will embolden the party to talk, perhaps even more aggressively, about the issues that matter most to them but that the major parties are reluctant to address,
Loomes added
We have never been stronger - we are the second-biggest force,
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel gloated, as she addressed crowds in Berlin after exit poll results were revealed on Sunday eveningIn five, or 10, or 15 years it may no longer be there,
she speculates, perhaps at the regional level initially, if not the national level.jpg)
We have won it because the CDU and CSU worked well together and we prepared very, very well for this election and also for taking over governing responsibility,
Merz said on Sunday as exit polls emerged, signaling the alliance's victory
We have nearly eight weeks until Easter now, and I think that should be enough time - the maximum time - to form a government in Germany."
During his victory speech on Sunday night, Merz said
It was a historic loss for the SPD,
Deborah saidThe world out there is not waiting for us and for lengthy negotiations.”
Ahead of expected coalition talks with the SPD, Merz told supporters last nightThis was the question for everyone in Germany who cares about politics,
Deborah saidGermany hasn’t really had a functioning majority government since November,
Deborah saidZelensky: I will quit if it brings peace”.
The Telegraph highlights the latest developments in Ukraine with