QUOTES-German reactions to election result

adds Habeck, Pistorius

BERLIN, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Germany's opposition conservatives won the national election on Sunday, putting leader Friedrich Merz on track to be the next chancellor while the far-right Alternative for Germany came in second, its best ever result, projections showed.

Here are first reactions:

FRIEDRICH MERZ, CDU LEADER AND CHANCELLOR CANDIDATE

"Tonight we will celebrate, and from tomorrow we start working. ... The world out there is not waiting for us."

ALICE WEIDEL, AfD PARTY LEADER

"We are open to coalition negotiations with the CDU."

OLAF SCHOLZ, SPD CHANCELLOR CANDIDATE

"This is a bitter election result for the Social Democratic Party. It is also an election defeat, and I think that needs to be made clear at the outset."

BORIS PISTORIUS, SPD MEMBER AND DEFENCE MINISTER

"The decisive factor is that we have to soberly state that this is a devastating, catastrophic result."

ROBERT HABECK, GREENS CHANCELLOR CANDIDATE

"Germany is now facing a difficult task of forming a government. This must now be completed quickly and successfully."

CARSTEN LINNEMANN, CDU GENERAL SECRETARY

"The traffic light coalition has finally been voted out... The new chancellor will be Friedrich Merz."

ALEXANDER DOBRINDT, CSU CHAIRMAN

"I am still convinced that there is no change of policy among the Greens and therefore I cannot imagine that a coalition (with the Greens) will be formed."

MATTHIAS MIERSCH, SPD GENERAL SECRETARY

"This is a historic defeat for the SPD. ... This is a very bitter evening."