German conservatives seek swift coalition talks after election victory

German conservatives, led by Friedrich Merz, plan to quickly form a coalition after winning the most votes in the recent election. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) gained significant support, coming in second, while the Social Democrats (SPD) placed third. Merz aims to establish a government by Easter, following the collapse of the previous coalition. He has expressed intentions to reform Germany's strict debt rules and has faced criticism for collaborating with the AfD on migration issues. The SPD has indicated a willingness to negotiate, despite past tensions. The new coalition will need to address economic challenges and respond to the growing influence of the AfD, which is now the largest opposition party in parliament.