Merkel's alliance wins; No change in policy toward Serbia

Merkel's alliance wins; No change in policy toward Serbia

The election's "winner," Merkel, whose alliance received the most votes, but insufficient to rule alone, said she wants a stable government and believes that it can be formed by the end of the year.

Her current coalition partners, the SPD, have announced they will join the opposition because of poor election results, so the CDU/CSU must seek new partners either in the FDP, who are close to business circles, and the Greens, who lean toward the left.

Germany's state broadcaster Deutsche Welle said in a report on Monday that Merkel has achieved "a disappointing victory" as "the CDU sinks and nationalist AfD surges."

"No difference"

Serbia can count on Germany's support on its European path no matter what government there is in Berlin, German Ambassador Axel Dittmann has said.

"It makes no difference whatsoever what government will be formed, it is clear that it will be pro-European, and will support Serbia," Dittmann told Tanjug late on Sunday at his residence, where he hosted a gathering on the occasion of the German elections attended by numerous officials from Serbia's public and cultural life, among them Prime Minister Ana Brnabić.

After these parliamentary elections, six parties will enter the German parliament - "but it is important that pro-European forces have a majority," the ambassador explained.

"I look forward to working with Serbian officials here on Serbia's road towards the European Union," Dittmann said.