The voters have spoken and the winner is...Angela Merkel and the Christian Democrats with an estimated 36% of the vote. Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democrats got 33.6%.

The Christian Democrats, the more conservative and pro-American of the two largest German political parties, fell short of the anticipated 40%+ they were expected to get, but this puts Angela Merkel in as the new Chancellor.

Without a majority, Merkel may be forced as chancellor into a coalition with the Social Democrats, probably without Schroeder.

UPDATE: 11:00pm
It's now reported as too close to call with both Schroeder and Merkel claiming victory. Could be be counting "hanging chads" in Dusseldorf?

Posted by: Gary at 05:04 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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