Germany election ends in narrow victory, two parties claim 'clear mandate' to form coalition

Germany's election ended in a narrow victory, with two parties believing they have the right to form a new government after both fell short of a majority.

SPD Leader Olaf Scholz said he has a "clear mandate" to form a government, but his rival Armin Laschet insisted he will be the one to form a coalition government instead, the BBC reported. 

"It’s quite clear that we’ve got the mandate to form a government with the parties that saw their shares of the vote rise in this election – the SPD, the Greens and the FDP," Scholz told party supporters in Berlin.