New German government, Schulz gets party confidence for talks with Merkel

Fervent arguments and divisions. The Social Democrats fought over themselves until coalition talks with the Union were put in favour. The conservatives welcomed the outcome, but they also warned. Merkel welcomed The SPD.

After a prolonged debate and uncertainty until the last minute, you could understand the joy in the faces of the democratic leaders following the positive outcome of the vote by 56.4% per Yes. 362 delegates from a total of 642 agreed to the launch of talks on a new coalition with conservatives. Social Democrat leader Martin Schulz expressed relief after the adoption of coalition talks. “We are certainly all relieved”, he told Phoenix television. We will try after this intense discussion (...) to unite the party.” Schulz promised to hear the voice of critics. The importance is for the party to preserve unity.

Even the prime minister of Down Below Saxony Land, Stephan Weil, does not hide his relief. I'm relieved. It was clear that the Social Democrat party fought with itself.” Social Democrat politician stressed that the negotiations for the coalition were “a very difficult job”, Weil said. In the initial debate during Sunday's Social Democrat party, it was widely divided. In the end, however, Po won among 642 delegates who argued over the possibility of coalition or regeneration in the opposition.

Positive responses but also warnings from Union

German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed the pro-democrat vote. This opens the way for negotiations, Merkel said Sunday in Berlin. But the preliminary document reached between the Social Democrats and the Union is the framework of the talks, according to German Chancellor.

Immediately, congratulations from the conservative party, the CDU. Christian Democrat party deputy chairman Julia Klöckner welcomed the outcome of the extraordinary congress. “Urimme for decision and willingness to serve the country, SPD” she wrote on twitter. While the conservative prime minister of Hessen's land, Volker Bouffier (CDU) said they should start coalition talks soon. What is clear is that the results of the preliminary talks are valid, and the main points should no longer be questioned, he said. Christian Democrat Deputy Chairman Thomas Strobl also warned the SPd of wrong expectations. The “for further negotiations is valid for what was agreed on in the preliminary talks”, he said. There will be no going back, although the SPD has this fantasy.

While liberal party deputy leader Michael Theurer commented ironically on the SPD's outcome. “Union will make some rotten compromises in order for Merkel to be elected Chancellor once again.” But according to him, the grand coalition is failed -- the narrow result shows it is a wavering coalition, he said.

Approval for Social Democrat Po also came from the Association of German Employers, BDA. “We need a functional government”, BDA President Igo Krämer said.

New European Policy

Earlier, the leader of the Social Democrat party gave a speech that was not accompanied by heated applause. He stressed that we should at least see the possibilities for improving people's lives in this country and in Europe. New elections are not the right way for the SPD. Also regeneration, popular with the SP after the catastrophic outcome, and government participation does not exclude each other, Schulz said. Schulz demanded that the SPD be better represented in a governing coalition. As a key project for the SPD, Schulz presented education. It's about modernising schools, an education without tariffs and children's rights in the constitution.

Martin Schulz seeks a new policy for Europe and sees the possibility of obstructing the right-wing <x0valla” in Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron needs partners in Europe, otherwise he is not exempt from one day ruling right extremists in the neighbouring country, he said.

“We'll negotiate until the quota from the other side”

The head of the Social Democrat parliamentary group, Andrea Nahles, delivered a combat speech to convince her party delegates. She promised tough negotiations. “We will negotiate until the quota is from the other side”, Nahles said. If the SPD were to reject negotiations with the coalition at this point, citizens would say, are they on their own, Nahles stressed in her speech.

In the debate preceding the vote for entry into coalition talks, both opponents and supporters of the coalition's idea received word. Kevin Kühnefet, the leader of the youth Social Democrats, and the idea of the campaign for NO in a coalition of Merkel called for a new start in the opposition. The joints with Union have been consumed, he said. The SPD's “Zigzagets since the elections have cost voter confidence”, the leader of the anti-corruption movement stressed. ” We make ourselves small, just as we've been introduced to the government so far.” / DW/