Merkel’s bloc eyes worst result since 1949 but hopes to lead coalition still

Chancellor Angela Merkel and Governor Armin Laschet wave to supporters at an election campaign event (Martin Meissner/AP)

The candidate for outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s centre-right Union bloc said his party would do “everything we can” to form a new government, despite facing what is expected to be its worst result since 1949.

Armin Laschet said that “we can’t be satisfied with the result” predicted by exit polls, adding that “the result puts Germany, the Union, all democratic parties before big challenges”.