Getty Images Copyright: Getty Images 'Jamaica coalition?' Tough negotiation talks predicted for Angela Merkel Image caption: 'Jamaica coalition?' Tough negotiation talks predicted for Angela Merkel

We're now closing our live page, so let's have a quick recap of a busy election day in Germany:

Chancellor Angela Merkel has been re-elected for a fourth term - but support for her CDU/CSU alliance has dwindled, and it's the party's worst result in close to 70 years

Martin Schulz's centre-left SPD came a poor second - the party's worst performance in the post-war era

right-wing nationalist AfD party is set to come third, securing its first representation in parliament

a tough period of bargaining to form a coalition lies ahead for Mrs Merkel, as the SPD has said it will be in the opposition

the most likely scenario is of a "Jamaica" coalition, so-called because of the colours of Jamaica's flag. It includes the black CDU/CSU, the yellow, business-friendly Free Democrats (FDP), and the Greens

That's it for the time being - thanks for staying with us. You can still follow all the latest developments on this and other news on the BBC News website and read our analysis here and here.