Merkel Faces Coalition Talks After Victory in German Elections

Conservative bloc didn't clinch a majority

Chancellor Angela Merkel's triumphant conservative party is considering who to team up with to form a new German coalition after their election victory.

Her conservative bloc got 41.5% - their best result since 1994, but just short of a clear majority.

The election was a shock for their liberal partners, the Free Democrats (FDP), who failed to get any seats.

A coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) is seen as most likely - but only after hard bargaining.

Mrs Merkel told a news conference on Monday that she had already contacted the SPD chairman, Sigmar Gabriel.