Berlin  - German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in unchartered territory in the wake of Sunday's elections as she tries to form a three-way coalition with two smaller parties - but at least she can rely on broad support from the public.

A poll conducted by broadcaster ZDF found that 59 per cent of Germans are in favour of a partnership between Merkel's conservative bloc, the Greens and the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP).

Twenty-two per cent of voters are against the coalition, while 15 per cent said they did not care, according to the poll.

Jamaica coalition: the flag´s colours

The so-called Jamaica coalition - known as such because the parties colours of black, green and yellow correspond with those of the Jamaican flag - is untried at national level.

The Jamaica route became Merkel's only option when the Social Democrats (SPD), her Christian Democrats' (CDU) junior partner in the outgoing grand coalition, went into the opposition following a historically low election result of 20.5 per cent.

AfD enter the legislature

Sunday's general elections saw the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) enter the Bundestag legislature for the first time. It won 12.6 per cent of the vote, granting it over 90 seats.

However, the party has been in turmoil due to infighting between its hardline and more moderate factions, with co-chair Frauke Petry announcing she would leave the party.

On Friday, her spokesman said her departure would take place "over the course of the day." Other high-profile members have agreed to go with her, prompting speculation of a new party.