0737 GMT - A fresh start for Germany looks less likely after the center-right won less convincingly than had been expected, Joerg Kraemer at Commerzbank writes in a note to investors. The conservatives under Friedrich Merz came out on top in Sunday's parliamentary elections but Merz faces long and tough negotiations to form a government with other parties. A coalition with the outgoing centre-left party looks likeliest but the two parties would have only a slim majority in the Bundestag. And while the two parties would likely agree on an initial cash boost for infrastructure, their differences outweigh their similarities, Kraemer says. "This dampens the hope that there will be a fresh start in economic policy," he says. (joshua.kirby@wsj.com; @joshualeokirby)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 24, 2025 02:37 ET (07:37 GMT)
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