A vote for ‘stability’: World reacts to Germany election outcome

European allies welcome performance of pro-EU parties as Russia eyes ‘continuity’ in relations with Berlin.

European powers have welcomed the outcome of Germany’s national election, with France praising the vote as a victory for “stability” and Spain’s Socialist prime minister predicting closer ties following the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) party’s triumph.

The SPD narrowly led Sunday’s vote, scooping 25.7 percent of the vote, according to provisional results released on Monday.

Outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel’s centre-right CDU-CSU conservative bloc came a close second, but registered their worst-ever performance.