Latest updates as SPD and CDU battle it out to become largest party in the Bundestag
German election results: exit poll and possible coalitions
The pollsters are adjusting their exit poll estimates as the evening advances and the first official results start to come in from polling stations around the country.
Very early days yet, of course, but the Social Democrats may take heart from the fact that they are now ahead – if only fractionally – in both projections:
Germany: both projections – Infratest dimap and Forschungsgruppe Wahlen – see the centre-left SPD (S&D) now ahead of the centre-right CDU/CSU (EPP) alliance. Here is the current lead in %-points:
Forschungsgruppe Wahlen (6:45 PM): +1.6
Infratest dimap (6:43 PM): 0.2% #btw21
Olaf Scholz is now addressing jubilant supporters at the SPD’s headquarters. The centre-left party’s vote share of about 25% -26% is low by historic standards but a great deal better that it looked like securing just a few months ago.
SPD leader Olaf Scholz is now on stage. The mood is joyous. Long, long applause which he milks. The optics couldn’t be more different from the CDU party.
“The Social Democrat party is doing than it has in a very long time. It’s a great success.” pic.twitter.com/6uAi1vNVg9