SPD Chancellor Gerhard Schröder: "We have achieved something that many journalists have thought to be impossible. I'm proud of the people in our country. [...] Those who wanted a change in the office of chancellor have failed miserably. I feel responsible to ensure that this country will have a stable government under my leadership. If Merkel wants to form a government with the FDP and the Greens I can't stop her. But she won't form a government with my SPD under her leadership." Franz Müntefering, SPD chair: "The result of the CDU is a personal defeat for Mrs. Merkel. [...] The people have confidence in Gerhard Schröder, not Merkel. [...] This result is a huge success for the German Social Democrats." Berlin mayor Klaus Wowereit, SPD: "The people have said: 'Angela Merkel does not have our trust'. The voters actually wanted Gerhard Schröder as chancellor." 100px|Guido Westerwelle FDP Guido Westerwelle, FDP chair: "We are the winners of this day. [...] Now its about a good policy for our country. Jörg van Essen, FDP: "Our program was crystal clear. That's why the people voted for us." 100px|Joschka Fischer Greens Joschka Fischer, Greens: "We have to admit that red-green does not have a majority. But we can also see that Merkel's policy of social coldness also does not have a majority." Katrin Göring-Eckardt, Greens: "The result confirmed our campaign for a safe environment. [...] We are ready for opposition." 100px|Gregor Gysi
SPD Chancellor Gerhard Schröder: "We have achieved something that many journalists have thought to be impossible. I'm proud of the people in our country. [...] Those who wanted a change in the office of chancellor have failed miserably. I feel responsible to ensure that this country will have a stable government under my leadership. If Merkel wants to form a government with the FDP and the Greens I can't stop her. But she won't form a government with my SPD under her leadership." Franz Müntefering, SPD chair: "The result of the CDU is a personal defeat for Mrs. Merkel. [...] The people have confidence in Gerhard Schröder, not Merkel. [...] This result is a huge success for the German Social Democrats." Berlin mayor Klaus Wowereit, SPD: "The people have said: 'Angela Merkel does not have our trust'. The voters actually wanted Gerhard Schröder as chancellor." FDP Guido Westerwelle, FDP chair: "We are the winners of this day. [...] Now its about a good policy for our country. Jörg van Essen, FDP: "Our program was crystal clear. That's why the people voted for us." 100px|Joschka Fischer Greens Joschka Fischer, Greens: "We have to admit that red-green does not have a majority. But we can also see that Merkel's policy of social coldness also does not have a majority." Katrin Göring-Eckardt, Greens: "The result confirmed our campaign for a safe environment. [...] We are ready for opposition." 
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100px|Guido Westerwelle
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100px|Gregor Gysi