With Friedrich Merz's CDU/CSU union coming on top of the election, coalition talks will come next. Merz seemed keen to get to work right away, saying that "the world isn't waiting for us." Follow DW f

Germany’s centre-right CDU and CSU parties have won the federal elections with about 28.5 to 29 per cent of the vote according to exit polls, paving the way for CDU leader Friedrich Merz to become chancellor at a time of economic and political upheaval in Europe’s largest democracy.

US President Donald Trump has hailed Sunday as a “great day for Germany” after an election in which conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz claimed victory. Exit polls published in Germany’s election, suggested frontrunner Merz’s centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party came out well in front, as the far-right AfD made large gains.