Most likely coalition government

Traffic light Evens

The bookies’ favourite. A three-way coalition would offer a clear majority but has never been tried at a national level in Germany before.

The pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) would prefer to govern with the CDU, but could be tempted into a traffic light coalition to prevent a hard-Left government.

Red-Red-Green 4.5/1

The dream of the hard-Left and nightmare of German conservatives. A coalition between the SPD, Greens and the Left Party, a successor to the East Germany communist party, it would be the furthest left German government since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Jamaica 5/1

Named because the party colours match those of the Jamaican flag. The equivalent of a traffic light coalition led by the CDU instead of the SPD.

The FDP would be more comfortable with a CDU chancellor but the Greens would not. Only likely if the CDU manages to come first.

Grand Coalition 8/1

Germany could end up where it is now, with a Grand Coalition or GroKo between the two main parties. The CDU and SPD have worked well together under Mrs Merkel for the last 8 years, and the current polls would give them a narrow majority.

Red-Green 9/1

The centre-Left Social Democrats (SPD) were ahead by the slimmest of margins in the final polls, and if they win their preferred option would be a two-way coalition with the Greens.

The two parties are close on climate, welfare and tax. But the latest polls would leave them short of a majority.

Kiwi 20/1

A Kiwi coalition would bring together Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Greens.

The Greens have made no secret of the fact they are closer to the SPD, and they are only likely to talk with the CDU if it finishes first. Also short of a majority on current polling.