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Victorious Merkel vows recovery Merkel in Germany coalition talks
(about 1 hour later)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the priority of her second term in office will be to return prosperity to Europe's largest economy. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is to hold coalition talks with the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) after a sweeping win in Sunday's election.
Mrs Merkel, who swept back to power in Sunday's election, will now open talks with the liberal Free Democrats (FDP). The priority of her second term would be to return prosperity to Europe's largest economy, Mrs Merkel said.
She believes a coalition between them and her centre-right CDU/CSU bloc offers the best chance for recovery. She said a coalition between the FDP and her centre-right CDU/CSU bloc, which should be formed within a month, offered the best chance for recovery.
Her previous coalition partners, the Social Democrats (SPD) suffered their worst election performance for decades. Germany has been enduring its most severe recession since World War II.
The chancellor said she would hold "swift and decisive" talks with FDP leader Guido Westerwelle, tipped by some to be Germany's next foreign minister.
Mrs Merkel's previous coalition partners, the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), suffered their worst election performance since 1949.
'Hard job ahead'
In her victory speech, Mrs Merkel said she wanted to be a chancellor of all Germans at a moment of crisis and that protecting and creating jobs would be her "highest aim".In her victory speech, Mrs Merkel said she wanted to be a chancellor of all Germans at a moment of crisis and that protecting and creating jobs would be her "highest aim".
She added: "We can really celebrate tonight, but afterwards we have a hard job ahead of us."
'Fighting on'
Mrs Merkel's bloc is now set to form a centre-right coalition with the FDP - an alliance which she says will get Germany out of its worst crisis in 60 years.
ANALYSIS Jonny Dymond BBC News, BerlinANALYSIS Jonny Dymond BBC News, Berlin
There are some long days of talks to come, but the shape of Germany's new government is clear.There are some long days of talks to come, but the shape of Germany's new government is clear.
Angela Merkel can dump the centre-left Social Democrats she has uncomfortably cohabited with for four years and instead invite the pro-business Free Democrats to join her as a junior partner.Angela Merkel can dump the centre-left Social Democrats she has uncomfortably cohabited with for four years and instead invite the pro-business Free Democrats to join her as a junior partner.
Together they will have a comfortable majority in parliament. Ms Merkel described the result as amazing.Together they will have a comfortable majority in parliament. Ms Merkel described the result as amazing.
Her opposite number, Social Democrat Frank Walter Steinmayer, had a terrible night. It was he said, a "bitter defeat".Her opposite number, Social Democrat Frank Walter Steinmayer, had a terrible night. It was he said, a "bitter defeat".
Projections by national broadcasters gave the CDU/CSU 33% of the vote, with the Social Democrat SPD at about 23% - its worst result since World War II. She added: "We can really celebrate tonight, but afterwards we have a hard job ahead of us."
The Free Democrats took about 15%, the Left party 12% and the Greens 10%. With the CDU/CSU winning 33% of the vote and the Free Democrats (FDP) capturing 14.6%, according to preliminary official results, the two parties have enough seats to ensure a majority in parliament, analysts say.
Analysts say the combined 48% for the CDU and FDP should allow them to form a stable majority government in Germany, Europe's largest economy and the biggest member of the European Union. The Social Democrat SPD won 23% of votes, while the Left party took 11.9% and the Greens 10.7%.
The results mean the SPD, which has been the junior partner in the "grand coalition" for the past four years, will be ejected from government. In Germany - Europe's largest economy and the biggest member of the European Union - a parliamentary majority can be secured with the support of less than 50% if the parties in question have more support than the other leading parties combined.
'Vigilant in opposition'
Mr Westerwelle said the new government would act "responsibly".
HEWITT ON EUROPE Now Merkel has the opportunity to reveal where her true instincts lie Read Gavin Hewitt's thoughts in full
"Now the work starts for real... for Germany and our people," he said.
Sunday's results mean the SPD, which has been the junior partner in the "grand coalition" for the past four years, will be ejected from government.
SPD leader Frank-Walter Steinmeier said his party would be "vigilant in opposition".SPD leader Frank-Walter Steinmeier said his party would be "vigilant in opposition".
And he added that it "would not be very sensible" to resign, vowing "to go on fighting".And he added that it "would not be very sensible" to resign, vowing "to go on fighting".
Several world leaders have congratulated Mrs Merkel on her victory.Several world leaders have congratulated Mrs Merkel on her victory.
HEWITT ON EUROPE Now Merkel has the opportunity to reveal where her true instincts lie Read Gavin Hewitt's thoughts in full
US President Barack Obama told her that under a "strong German government" ties between the two countries would "further strengthen and deepen", the White House said.US President Barack Obama told her that under a "strong German government" ties between the two countries would "further strengthen and deepen", the White House said.
The chancellor said she would hold "swift and decisive" talks with FDP leader Guido Westerwelle, whom some are tipping as the next foreign minister.
Mr Westerwelle said the new government would act "responsibly".
"Now the work starts for real... for Germany and our people," he said.