The two largest parties have formally launched talks to form a new government after last year’s inconclusive elections. Party leaders were upbeat about the prospect of a “grand coalition” in the run-up to the talks. Formal coalitions talks between German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU), their sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU) and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) started on Friday. The talks are aimed at forming what is commonly referred to as a “grand coalition,” bringing together Germany’s two largest parties to form a government. Merkel was optimistic about the talks, saying: “People expect us to move towards forming a government and that’s why I’m very optimistic and very determined in these discussions that we reach a result and I believe that is achievable in a relatively manageable time frame.”
SPD leader Martin Schulz said that the forming a stable government is pivotal for the country’s success, saying: “Given the challenges from China and the US, the EU needs a strong, pro-European Germany.”
Horst Seehofer, who leads the CSU, was upbeat ahead of the talks, saying: “We will do everything in our power today and in the coming weeks to arrive at a good result.”
Full Article: Germany: Angela Merkel′s conservatives and SPD open ′grand coalition′ talks | News | DW | 26.01.2018.