How Germany’s Next Government May Shape Up: Coalition Scenarios

Olaf Scholz has guided the Social Democrats to within touching distance of toppling Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives from power for the first time since 2005.

But winning the election would only be a first step for the center-left SPD, which is leading Merkel’s CDU/CSU bloc by five points in one poll. While the Greens led by Annalena Baerbock are likely to be willing partners, that won’t be enough to secure a majority. That leaves the door open for conservative contender Armin Laschet.