Prelude Schröder loses motion of confidence German opposition launches election campaign German president dissolves parliament; elections in September German Constitutional Court green-lights early elections call TV debate between German chancellor Schröder and opposition leader Merkel held Death of candidate will delay final results for German federal election by weeks One week before German federal election, the race is wide-open again Voting chaos in Germany expected Election Day Results Aftermath German Christian Democrats win by-election in Dresden Schröder gives up German chancellorship ambitions, makes way for Merkel 
Prelude Schröder loses motion of confidence German president dissolves parliament; elections in September German Constitutional Court green-lights early elections call TV debate between German chancellor Schröder and opposition leader Merkel held Death of candidate will delay final results for German federal election by weeks One week before German federal election, the race is wide-open again Election Day Results Aftermath German Christian Democrats win by-election in Dresden Schröder gives up German chancellorship ambitions, makes way for Merkel German Social and Christian Democrats agree on new government
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opposition launches election campaign German
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Voting chaos in Germany expected
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German Social and Christian Democrats agree on new government