Merkel tries to build coalition after vote that puts far right in parliament

Christian Democratic Union CDU party leader and German Chancellor Angela Merkel reacts on first exit polls in the German general election (Bundestagswahl) in Berlin, Germany, September 24, 2017. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's Angela Merkel began the tough task of trying to build a government on Monday after securing a fourth term as chancellor, urging the centre-left Social Democrats not the shut the door on a re-run of their "grand coalition".

Damaged by her decision two years ago to allow more than one million migrants into Germany, Merkel's conservative bloc secured 33 percent of the vote, losing 8.5 points -- its lowest level since 1949. Her coalition partners, the centre-left Social Democrats, also slumped and said they would go into opposition.