German grand coalition on the agenda as Merkel and rival Schulz hold talks with president

Germany

Associated Press

Published: 2:51pm, 1 Dec 2017

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Germany’s president brought together Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leader of the centre-left Social Democrats, Martin Schulz, on Thursday night with the aim of breaking the impasse over the formation of a new government.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called the party leaders together after talks between Merkel’s conservative bloc and two smaller parties to form a previously untried coalition collapsed.

Schulz, Merkel and her Bavarian ally Horst Seehofer agreed to meet at Germany’s presidential palace to explore the possibility of forming a so-called grand coalition like the one that makes up the outgoing government. After more than two hours of discussions, they left without giving any statements.

The leader of the Social Democrats (SPD) Martin Schulz (right) arrives for talks hosted by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (left) with Chancellor Angela Merkel and Horst Seehofer, the head of the Bavarian Christian Social Union. Photo: Reuters

Schultz had initially refused to consider another “grand coalition” with Merkel after a disastrous showing of the Social Democrats in the election on September 24, saying the Social Democrats needed to go into opposition. But he reversed course after Steinmeier’s appeal, and said his party is now open to holding exploratory talks.

Merkel this week said she hoped to talk with the Social Democrats “in a serious, engaged, honest way and obviously with the intention of success.”

Schulz sounded more sceptical, however, saying the talks hosted by Steinmeier would be about “if and in which form” they would continue discussions and “if it even makes sense to continue to talk with one another.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel leaves Bellevue Palace in Berlin after talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and party leaders about a new German government on Thursday. Photo: AP

He added that his party members would have to have a final say over any agreement.

Even if the two sides do agree to continue, they’ll first have to negotiate the prerequisites for coalition talks, then carry out the coalition talks themselves, meaning it will likely be several months before a new government is formed.

If Merkel can’t put together a coalition, the only options would be a minority government or a new election.

Meantime, she continues to head a caretaker government made up of her conservatives and the Social Democrats.

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