BERLIN (AFP) - Germany on Wednesday (Feb 7) achieved a breakthrough after the longest period of political limbo in its post-war history, since an inconclusive general election in September.

Here are the key dates in the battle to set up a stable government for Chancellor Angela Merkel's fourth term:

Election

Sept 24, 2017: Germany holds a general election which Mr Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) win but with a historically low score, depriving them of a clear ruling majority.

The second-place Social Democrats (SPD) also see their support plummet, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party scores nearly 13 per cent, winning its first seats in parliament.

Caretaker government

Oct 22, 2017: Dr Merkel's previous right-left "grand coalition" with the SPD becomes a caretaker government

Coalition talks

Nov 20, 2017: Talks to build an alliance between Dr Merkel's conservative bloc, the liberal Free Democrats and the ecologist Greens collapse in acrimony.

Jan 7, 2018: Negotiations begin to mount a new "grand coalition" - the third under Dr Merkel following her 2005-2009 and 2013-2017 terms.

Coalition deal

Feb 7, 2018: Parties reach a deal for a new coalition.

Early March: The SPD is to publish the result of a yes-or-no referendum by the SPD's 440,000 rank-and-file members on the coalition deal. If they approve it, Dr Merkel can be officially elected chancellor for a fourth term by a majority of MPs.