Will Angela Merkel form a government by Christmas?

After the German elections, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU party is in position to form a government - but negotiations may be protracted and the final shape of a coalition is unclear - a "Jamaica" coalition with the FDU and Green party? Or a return to a Grand Coalition with the SPD? Or will talks collapse? Merkel has promised a government by Christmas. Can she do it?

The Bundestag will hold a vote during a session resulting in a majority of votes cast for Angela Merkel as Chancellor by midnight, Central European Time, December 25, 2017. Announcements of "successful" negotiations or the appointment of a Chancellor by any other means than a majority vote of the Bundestag will be insufficient to resolve this market as YES. However, a "minority" government in which no coalition is formed but a majority vote in the Bundestag results in Merkel as Chancellor will resolve this bet as YES.

• Germany,
• Merkel,
• coalition,
• government,
• elections,
• chancellor

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