The CDU/CSU will seek a coalition with the SDP, which came third in the national vote.
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Gains in Bavaria and Hesse mark new territory for a radical-right party that once only really enjoyed support in one region.
After beating the formerly biggest party to top the poll, the social democrats will enter complex coalition talks with potential partners, including the Greens and the liberal FDP.
With a very close result as counting continues, it could be weeks or even months before a government is formed. But Sunday’s election has already delivered some significant results.
After a rocky start, the social democrats are on the up as polling day approaches.
German politics is experiencing a major shift. Merkel knows her time is up.
The SPD is in government with Angela Merkel again after signing a coalition deal. But life has been harder for the social democrats.
Martin Schulz could face a major backlash from his own party after breaking his promise not to enter government with Angela Merkel’s CDU again.
Over three months since Germans voted in national elections, preliminary talks are due to start Jan. 7 on forming a coalition government. What has taken so long?
Martin Schulz has said he’d rather go back into opposition than agree to another grand coalition. But is that sensible?
The parliamentary arithmetic suggests Merkel would actually be in quite a stable position if she goes it alone, without calling fresh elections.
German chancellor is running out of options to form a viable government.
The chancellor wins again, but the rise of the populists will probably force the next administration to the right.
German elections are typically tame. Jockeying for power takes place later, in negotiations for a coalition government. Could the xenophobic Alternative for Germany form the opposition?
Top contributors
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Reader in Politics, Co-Director, Aston Centre for Europe, Aston University
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Reader in European Politics, University of Westminster
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Professor of Politics, University of Sussex
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Senior Lecturer, Department of Government, University of Essex
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Lecturer, Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham
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Professor in International History, Flinders University
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Professor of Modern European History, Sheffield Hallam University
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Associate professor of Government at Wesleyan University, Wesleyan University
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Professor of German Studies / Chair, Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies / Director, Waterloo Centre for German Studies, University of Waterloo