SPD gives way to coalition with Merkel

The SPD chief, Martin Schulz, called on party members to abandon their reluctance to rejoin Merkel in a coalition and enter exploratory talks to create a government with its conservatives, the bavari-based Christian Democrats and allies, the Social Christian Union.

“A strong SPD is needed to make Germany strong, and a strong Germany is needed to make Europe strong”, Schulz said during the party congress.

However, in a series of very passionate SPD speeches openly went against a new union with Merkel after the party's vote reached the lowest level since 1959 in the September legislative elections, as well as criticised Schulz's leadership.