Merkel says plans to serve full four years after election

Germany's Angela Merkel made clear on Monday she intended to serve a full four years as chancellor after her conservatives won the most votes in Sunday's election, even though they bled support to the far right AfD.

"My decision (to stand for a full term) last year did not depend on what percentage I scored," she said, adding she went into the election campaign with "no illusions" that her fourth term could be difficult.

Merkel said she believed that voters had given their verdict now and that the parties should accept the election outcome by trying to form a government and avoiding new elections.