The leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), the second largest party in parliament after Sunday's election, said Germany's likely next chancellor would be held hostage by left-wing parties that would seek to loosen tough fiscal rules.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and Germany's Left party between them garnered the one third of seats in parliament needed to block changes to the constitution, including a loosening of the debt brake which restricts deficits to 0.

German voters cast their ballots in Sunday’s election, with opposition leader Friedrich Merz claiming victory. Exit polls also indicate that Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is heading for the strongest showing for a far-right party since World War II.