German vote nearly even for Merkel's bloc, Social Democrats

Germany's centre-left Social Democrats were locked in a very close race Sunday with outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel's bloc in the country's parliamentary election, a vote that will determine who succeeds the long-time leader after 16 years in power, exit polls showed. Officials from both parties said they hope to lead the next government.

An exit poll for ARD public television put voters' support at 25% each for the Social Democrats -- for whom outgoing Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz is running for chancellor -- and Merkel's centre-right bloc under would-be successor state governor Armin Laschet.

Another exit poll for ZDF public television put the Social Democrats ahead by 26% to 24%. Both put the environmentalist Greens in third place with about 15% support.

The electoral system typically produces coalition governments but post-Second World War Germany has never previously seen a winning party take less than 31% of the vote -- or the Union bloc score less than that.

Given the exit poll predictions, putting together the next coalition government for Europe's biggest economy could be a lengthy and complicated process. Merkel will remain as a caretaker leader until a new government is in place.