German elections: SPD registers narrow victory over CDU-CSU alliance; coalition likely

Social Democrats (SPD) headed by Olaf Scholz won German federal elections narrowly as per official prliminary results. They bagged25.7 per cent votes. They beat Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives who bagged 24.1 per cent votes. The Green Party got 14.8 per cent votesfollowed by the liberal FDP at 11.5 percent. The far-rightAlternative for Germany bagged10.3 percent votes.

However, neither SPD not Merkel's CDU/CSU islikely to get a majority as both said they were targeting coalitions. Opinion polls earlier had suggested a knife-edge battle between the two arch-rivals.

The new leader will take over the reins from Chancellor Angela Merkel who had expressed her intention to step down after the elections after 16 years at the top.

Armin Laschet, 60, was pushed by Angela Merkel as her likely successor, however, Olaf Scholz the leader of the SPD is now the favourite to succeed Merkel. Scholz who is widely known for his tenacity has been the finance minister and vice-chancellor under Merkel.

The party which comes to power finally will have the task to continue the battle against the virus and keep Germany's economy rolling.

The fight for the top job is however far from over as both Laschet & Scholz expressed their desire to cobble a coaltion before Christmas.

(With inputs from Agencies)