Germany’s conservative CDU/CSU party is celebrating after exit polls projected them to be the largest party in the federal parliament – or Bundestag – with 28.5% of the vote.
The conservative leader Friedrich Merz, who is now expected to become Germany’s next chancellor, hailed a "terrific election campaign" and said there was no time to waste in forming a government.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is set to become the second largest party in the country, with a record 20.6% of the vote according to the exit polls.
US President Donald Trump congratulated Germany’s conservatives on social media, calling it "a great day for Germany" – and for the United States under his leadership.
Millions voted in Germany for a new federal government after the three-party coalition fell apart at the end of last year, prompting a snap election.
Sophie Raworth presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Katya Adler in Berlin.
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