a few seconds agoGermany ends political blockade to establish new government
Periskopi(9 years ago)
(9 years ago)German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Social Democrats coalition partners will hold discussions in efforts to end a political stalemate. The centre-left SPD has eased its stance, saying it is open to talks. Leader Martin Schulz had refused to renew a coalition with conservatives [...]
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Social Democrats coalition partners will hold discussions in efforts to end a political stalemate.
The centre-left SPD has eased its stance, saying it is open to talks. Leader Martin Schulz had refused to renew a coalition with Merkel's conservatives, but was pressured by allies to change his position, reports the BBC, broadcast Indesksonline.
Merkel failed to form a coalition government with Liberal and Green Democrats this week.
German President Frank Walter Steinmeier will wait for Mr. Schulz and Mrs. Merkel for talks next week.
What's Schulz's position?
He had strongly opposed joining a large “coalation” led by Mrs. Merkel (CDU) and the Social Union (CSU) and promised to take his party into opposition.
But with a slight change Friday, he did not formally rule out a new alliance, saying that “nothing was automatic” in running the party. “But one thing is very clear: if a discussion results in us who decide to participate in any form in the formation of a government, we will put it in one vote of party members”.
