Merkel invites SPD to enter coalition talks

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel invited the Social Democratic Party (SPD) for preliminary talks on Monday to form a conservative-left coalition government, a week after the collapse of talks between her Christian Democratic bloc (CDU/CSU), the pro-business FDP and the Greens.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin following a meeting of her party executive, Merkel stressed Germany needed a stable government to address domestic and international challenges.

“We are ready to enter into talks with the SPD,” she said, and underlined they were aware these talks “require compromise” on both sides.

Merkel’s CDU/CSU failed to create a three-way government with the pro-business FDP and the Greens, after weeks-long negotiations which followed the Sept. 24 federal election.

Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier last week invited leaders of the CDU, CSU and SPD for a summit this Thursday to break the political deadlock.

Social Democrat leader Martin Schulz told reporters on Friday the SPD was aware of its responsibility and would act accordingly in the coming days and weeks.

Schulz has so far opposed a coalition with the CDU/CSU, arguing that the election result meant voters had rejected the option of another grand coalition.

However, other SPD figures have supported a coalition or backing a minority CDU/CSU government.

Both the CDU/CSU and the SPD were severely weakened in September’s poll and many in the SPD have blamed their poor showing on the party’s membership of the previous coalition.

Although Merkel’s bloc is still the biggest group in parliament, it needs the support of either the SPD, which has the second-largest group in parliament, or two smaller parties to form a government.