German reactions to election result

Germany's opposition conservatives won the national election on Sunday, putting leader Friedrich Merz on track to be the next chancellor while the far-right Alternative for Germany came in second, its best ever result, projections showed.

Here are first reactions:

OLAF SCHOLZ, SPD CHANCELLOR

"The result is very bitter for the SPD. We have lost the election."

"I will not be a representative of the SPD in a federal government led by the CDU, nor will I negotiate for it."

FRIEDRICH MERZ, CDU LEADER AND CHANCELLOR CANDIDATE

"Tonight we will celebrate, and from tomorrow we start working. ... The world out there is not waiting for us."

ALICE WEIDEL, AfD PARTY LEADER

"We are open to coalition negotiations with the CDU."

"We have arrived as a party of the people."

CHRISTIAN LINDNER, FDP LEADER

"If the FDP leaves the Bundestag, it is quite clear that I will also leave politics ... If my political career ends tomorrow, I will leave with only one feeling: gratitude."

BORIS PISTORIUS, SPD MEMBER AND DEFENCE MINISTER

"The decisive factor is that we have to soberly state that this is a devastating, catastrophic result."

ROBERT HABECK, GREENS CHANCELLOR CANDIDATE

"Germany is now facing a difficult task of forming a government. This must now be completed quickly and successfully."

ALEXANDER DOBRINDT, CSU CHAIRMAN

"I am still convinced that there is no change of policy among the Greens and therefore I cannot imagine that a coalition (with the Greens) will be formed."