"The members have the final say," said party chairman Lars Klingbeil. "The members will make the final decision." Klingbeil is expected to take on leadership of the SPD's much reduced parliamentary group on Wednesday before representing the party in coalition talks with the CDU.

He has vowed to prioritize European unity and the continent’s security as it grapples with the new Trump administration and Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) on Monday insisted that the "responsibility" to lead negotiations on the formation of a new government lies with conservative leader Friedrich Merz. Lars Klingbeil,

Bavarian Premier Markus Söder exuded optimism when casting his ballot in Germany's early elections on Sunday, with his opposition conservative bloc having consistently polled in first place in the months leading up to the vote.

Provisional results confirm that mainstream conservatives led by Friedrich Merz won Germany's national election, while a far-right party surged to become the nation’s second-largest.

German voters cast their ballots in Sunday’s election , with opposition leader Friedrich Merz claiming victory and Chancellor Olaf Scholz conceding defeat. Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is heading for the strongest showing for a far-right party since World War II.

Germany's conservatives won the national election on Sunday, while the far-right Alternative for Germany came in second, its best ever result.

German stocks ended Monday higher in Europe after conservatives led by Friedrich Merz won the national election with promises of pro-growth policies to boost an ailing economy.

Merz expressed concern over changing relations with Washington under the Trump administration, emphasizing the need for gradual independence from the U.S.

The far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany surged to become the second-largest political force in the country.