Merkel was Chancellor of Germany for 16 years
Preliminary results of Germany's elections show outgoing leader Angela Merkel's party has been defeated.
Her CDU/CSU bloc won 24% of the vote.
The SPD social democrats claimed nearly 26%, according to broadcaster ARD.
After exit polls emerged, CDU leader Armin Laschet admitted it didn't look pretty:
Both will now try to form a coalition government.
Berlin based journalist Rob Hyde says many options are possible:
The new leader will have many issues to face at home including climate proofing Germany.
European Politics professor at Maynooth University is John O'Brennan - he says they will also face issues across the EU:
The leader of Germany's centre-left Social Democrats, Olaf Sholz, believes his party has been given a mandate to form a governing coalition.
It's being suggested the socialists' Sholz will emerge as winner, eventually - replacing Angela Merkel after 16 years.
The Social Democrats' chancellor candidate @OlafScholz says it's time for the CDU/CSU to move into the opposition, and allow his party to form a coalition with the Greens and the business-friendly FDP. pic.twitter.com/nQTiTOKBfx
— DW Politics (@dw_politics) September 27, 2021
He gave this speech to supporters:
Viola Mattathil-Reuther - a party candidate - believes Sholz is a safe pair of hands:
Andy Burnham Says A United Ireland Referendum Is "Off The Table"
EU Awaits Meta Proposals To Safeguard Children Online
Two Irish People Feared Missing After Flash Flood In Nepal
Irish Couple Found Dead In Rented Holiday Property Near Valencia
Meta Agrees To Pay $16.6B To US States After Claims Their Platforms Were Harmful To Children
Tributes Paid To Dolly Parton Following Her Death
12 People Dead After Overnight Russian Attacks On Kyiv
