The Bundestag elections vote count showed that there are 735 deputies to sit in Parliament, against the 709 of the last legislature.

This is reported by the Federal Election Commission of Germany.

To form a government, a coalition of at least 368 deputy seats is needed.

The largest faction in the Bundestag will be formed by the Social Democrats, who, according to preliminary data, received 25.7% of the votes.

Germany's center-left Social Democrats (SPD) have claimed victory in the federal election, telling the party of outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel it should no longer be in power.

SPD leader Olaf Scholz said he had a clear mandate to form a government, while his conservative rival Armin Laschet remains determined to fight on.

The two parties have governed together for years.

But Mr Scholz says it is time for a new coalition with the Greens and liberals.

As a result, the Bundestag will look like:

- Social Democrats - 206 deputies (plus 53 seats);

- CDU/CSU - 196 deputies (minus 50 seats);

- "Greens" - 118 deputies (plus 51 seats);

- Free Democrats - 92 deputies (plus 12 seats);

- "Alternative for Germany" - 83 deputies (minus 11 seats);

- "Left" - 39 deputies (minus 30 seats).

- South Schleswig Voters' Association - 1.