German SPD secretary-general says, 'we have mandate to govern'

Lars Klingbeil, secretary-general German Social Democrat said the exit polls on Sunday (September 26) put his party ahead as they have the mandate to form a coalition despite polls showing the SPD neck and neck with outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative bloc.

"We have fought our way back as the SPD, the SPD is back, the SPD clearly has the mandate to govern," Klingbeil told public broadcaster ZDF. He added that the SPD's "Olaf Scholz should become chancellor"

On the other hand, Armin Laschet, the conservative candidate to succeed Merkel as chancellor, said that he still aimed to head Germany's next coalition government.

"We will do everything we can to build a government led by the (conservative) Union," Laschet told supporters in Berlin, adding that the vote outcome "is still totally unclear," he said.

The Green party has enjoyed a surge in support earlier this year after naming 40-year-old Annalena Baerbock as its chancellor candidate, at one point even briefly taking the lead as the most popular party.

Previously,Laschet signalled he could still try to form a coalition even if the CDU-CSU do not come first, most likely calling on the Greens and the liberal FDP for support.

Image: Supporters of the Greens party react after the announcement of the first exit poll results on the general elections in Berlin, Germany, September 26, 2021. Source: Reuters

As per the surveys, which were published on public television after polling stations were closed, Merkel's CDU-CSU bloc and their candidate Laschet with around 24-25 per cent of the vote.

They were nearly tied with the Social Democrats on 25-26 per cent, giving a tough fight.

It is important to note that given the high proportion of voters who mailed in their ballot, the final results could still turn up surprises in what is the most unpredictable election for Europe's biggest economy in decades.

(With inputs from agencies)