Q+A: Coalition talks after the German election

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel hopes to form a center-right alliance with the Free Democrats (FDP) after an election on Sunday but it may take time to become clear which coalition will end up in power.

Here are some questions and answers on what happens after the election:

WILL WINNER BE CLEAR IMMEDIATELY?

Probably not. The picture will gradually emerge on Sunday evening, starting with exit polls at 1600 GMT. Projections will continue into the night.

Coalition arithmetic means small fluctuations in the result could have a big impact on the final outcome so it could take many hours to be sure about who has "won" the election.

An additional factor is a quirk in the system which results in extra, or "overhang" parliamentary seats being created. This could hand Merkel's party up to about 20 seats and be a decisive factor. The final calculation of "overhang seats" may only be available late on Sunday or during Monday.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF Center-RIGHT MAJORITY IS CLEAR?

In this event, Chancellor Angela Merkel will probably start exploratory talks with her desired partner, the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) within days. It could, however, take several weeks for the parties to forge the policy compromises necessary to seal a coalition deal.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THERE IS NO Center-RIGHT MAJORITY?

This more complicated outcome would take longer to untangle as there are in theory several coalition options.

Officially, President Horst Koehler would ask Merkel, provided her conservatives win the most votes, to try to form a government. But behind the scenes, all the parties would sound each other out.

The most likely option in this case is a second "grand coalition" between Merkel's conservatives and the Social Democrats (SPD). But nailing a deal would probably take a month or more because Merkel's conservatives could informally explore other options before entering formal coalition talks with the SPD.

HOW LONG COULD COALITION TALKS LAST? Given that German coalition deals contain concrete policies to be implemented during a government's term, negotiations are complex and usually take several weeks at least.

In 2005, it took nearly two months for Merkel's conservatives and the SPD to agree a common policy program and for her to be sworn in. But the process was held up for longer than usual by personal animosity between the main players.

WHO RUNS GERMANY DURING COALITION TALKS Until a new government is sworn in, Merkel continues to act as chancellor.

COULD POST-ELECTION STALEMATE LEAD TO PARALYSIS?

There is no risk that Germany will descend into chaos, but a prolonged power vacuum could become a headache if:

- the financial crisis takes a turn for the worse or another bank or large company seeks state aid. In this event, it could become more difficult for Germany to take a quick decision on action, especially if there were differences between the main parties on what steps to take.

- Ireland rejects the EU's Lisbon reform treaty in its October 2 referendum. The EU would probably look to Germany to take a lead in deciding what to do next and the lack of a government could slow Berlin's ability to react with concrete proposals.

(Edited by Noah Barkin)