Angela Merkel, Germany's chancellor and party leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), speaks with supporters on stage during victory celebrations at the CDU headquarters after the German federal elections results were announced in Berlin, Germany on Sunday. Photo: Bloomberg

(VOVworld) - With 41.7% of the votes, Germany’s coalition of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany and the Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CDU/CSU) was in the lead in Germany's federal election on Sunday. The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) had 25.6% of the vote, the Left had 8.5%, and the Greens had 8.4%. The CDU/CSU’s current coalition partner, the Free Democrats (FDP), had 4.7 % below the 5-percent threshold needed to remain in parliament. Similarly, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) had just 4.8%. The CDU/CSD, which has 296 seats, will have to find a partner to establish a new ruling coalition. President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy congratulated German Chancellor Angela Merkel and expressed his hope that her new government will contribute to a peaceful, prosperous and successful Europe.