German conservative leader Angela Merkel is expected to become chancellor after Sunday's general election, despite a recent fall in opinion polls for her Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
With polls finely balanced, the main question is whether she would lead a "grand coalition" with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democrats (SPD) or a centre-right alliance with the liberal Free Democrats (FDP).
The following is a list of possible key Cabinet posts.
Chancellor
Angela Merkel would be Germany's first woman chancellor and the first to be raised under the communist system that used to run East Germany. A reform-minded politician with a cool, unemotional manner, Ms Merkel has sidelined numerous rivals who made the error of underestimating her. She does not have Mr Schroeder's ability to connect personally with the public but surveys show most voters feel she is a competent leader.
Foreign Minister
Senior FDP foreign policy specialist Wolfgang Gerhardt would be the frontrunner in a centre-right government. He backs Ms Merkel's opposition to Turkish entry to the European Union and is a convinced supporter of the US alliance but sceptical about military operations abroad.
In a grand coalition, potential candidates for the post, traditionally the preserve of junior partners, include European Union Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen (SPD), mooted in 1998, or Interior Minister Otto Schily (SPD).
Finance Minister
Ms Merkel's choice of Finance Minister, former judge and professor at Heidelberg University, Paul Kirchhof, has been the most controversial figure in the election. A proponent of a single-rate tax system, Mr Kirchhof was initially seen as the saviour of a conservative campaign that had stalled. Since then, relentless attacks by the Social Democrats have taken much of the shine off his image but Ms Merkel has pledged to stick with him if she wins, possibly in some kind of joint arrangement with finance expert Friedrich Merz.
Mr Kirchhof has ruled out serving in a grand coalition. The SPD's reform-minded Peer Steinbrueck, who has been Finance and Economy Minister in his state of North Rhine-Westphalia would be an alternative.
Economy and Labour Minister
Peter Mueller, the CDU state premier of Saarland, is considered a moderate reformer. He wants Germany's co-determination system, in which worker representatives sit on company boards, to be diluted and wants to make it easier for firms to opt out of sector-wide wage deals.
However, the portfolio may be claimed by the FDP, in which case Rainer Bruederle, a specialist in policies affecting small-and medium-sized businesses, could take the job.
In a grand coalition, Mr Mueller would remain the frontrunner, although the ministries could be reshuffled, leaving him in charge of labour and social policy. The economy portfolio, merged with labour by the SPD under Wolfgang Clement in 2002, could be stripped out.
Mr Steinbrueck is again considered a possibility.
Interior Minister
Guenther Beckstein seems firmly installed whatever government is formed. The state Interior Minister in Bavaria, Mr Beckstein is a hardline law-and-order advocate who has generally been in agreement with the current federal Interior Minister Otto Schily. Mr Beckstein supports measures such as preventive detention for terrorist suspects that have sparked strong opposition from the FDP on civil liberties grounds.
Health Minister
Lower Saxony Social Minister, doctor and mother of seven, Ursula von Leyen (CDU) is the poster child for the CDU's family values. She backed Ms Merkel's proposal to introduce a flat health insurance premium for all to bolster health funding and cut payroll costs. She would likely also serve in a grand coalition.
Defence Minister
Michael Glos, the head of the Christian Social Union parliamentary group and deputy head of the combined CDU/CSU group in the Bundestag, is favourite. Known for his conservative views and one of the opposition's sharpest debaters. Incumbent Peter Struck (SPD) could stay on, particularly as he supports the conservative line to retain military service.
Justice
The first openly gay leader of a main political party in Germany, FDP leader Guido Westerwelle, has had difficult relations with the socially conservative CSU. Has stressed the need for economic reform and is close to Ms Merkel and is earmarked for the justice ministry in a centre-right government.
In a grand coalition, an SPD replacement for current incumbent Brigitte Zypries would be sought.
Education and research minister
Ms Merkel ally and Baden-Wuerttemberg state culture minister Annette Schavan (CDU) would lead the ministry with a new stress on innovation. Her state's schools are the best in Germany.
Agriculture and consumer protection minister
Conservative deputy parliamentary leader Gerda Hasselfeldt (CDU) is the expert in the CDU/CSU's shadow "competence team". The conservatives and SPD could struggle to find a suitable candidate for Environment Minister and could combine ministries.