German parties start official coalition talks
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc and the Social Democratic (SPD) Party have started negotiations to form a “grand coalition” despite earlier setbacks.
Leaders from Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the SPD met Friday for the start of formal negotiations on forming a new governing coalition.
Going into the Friday meeting, Merkel said that preliminary negotiations between the three parties had resulted in a “very good framework.”
The SPD is facing strong internal resistance and many members are skeptical about a re-run of the “grand coalition” that has ruled Germany since 2013. The SPD got its worst election result in the postwar era in September and many fear a further fall in votes.
Despite the concerns, SPD leader Martin Schulz emphasized the necessity of forming a stable government.
“Given the challenges from China and the US, the European Union needs a strong, pro-European Germany,” Schulz said on Friday.
The former president of the European Parliament called for a “swift and constructive” compromise.
He expressed hope the coalition talks would conclude within two weeks.
Earlier attempts by the long-time German chancellor to form a coalition government with the Greens and pro-business Free Democrats failed last year.
The four-month delay in forming a government is unprecedented in post-war Germany.
Germany undecided on complying with ICC arrest warrants for Israeli war criminals
Scholz-Putin phone call opens ‘Pandora’s box’: Zelensky
Far-right German party calls for UN probe into ‘Berlin’s role’ in Nord Stream blasts
Iran activated new centrifuges in response to IAEA resolution: Parl. speaker
Nov. 23: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
Lindsey Graham threatens to sanction US allies backing ICC arrest warrants
VIDEO | Tens of thousands of Catalans protest to demand access to better housing
Israel launches air strikes on Syria-Lebanon border crossing
Russia: Comprehensive deal with Iran will include defense, security ties
VIDEO | Israeli embassy shooting in Jordan leaves gunman dead, 3 police injured
VIDEO | Paris march in support of Palestine women
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
