Conservative opposition wins Germany's polls

The ball is in Friedrich Merz's court,

said SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil at a party press conference

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

I can't support that,

said Bauer, who works as a lawyer in Berlin

The 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

We 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 journalists

Donald Trumppresident

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 Europe

Europe 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 X

We have received a clear governing mandate, and we accept it,

Merz declared

Germany needs a functional government with a parliamentary majority,

he declared

I have no illusions at all about what is happening from America,

he told supporters

Olaf Scholzchancellor

Now we have the far-right - the AfD - and the fact they got such a good election result is something we cannot accept and I will never accept,

Mr Scholz said

In time, we will get there,

said a smiling Stephan Moller, a senior figure and elected official in the Thuringia branch

It was a historic loss for the SPD,

Deborah said

This was the question for everyone in Germany who cares about politics,

Deborah said

Germany hasn’t really had a functioning majority government since November,

Deborah said

Zelensky: I will quit if it brings peace”.

The Telegraph highlights the latest developments in Ukraine with

Conservatives set to lead German coalition as far-right party surges, ... Merz

is the lead story on the Guardian today, while the Times has “Hard right on course for big gains in Germany,” and the FT goes with

They were able to mobilise a lot of young voters angry over Merz’s flirtation with the AfD,

she said

The people of Germany got tired of the no common sense agenda, especially on energy and immigration,

said Trump, whose surrogates have hounded Scholz's outgoing administration