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Germany coalition: Merkel courts SPD as pivotal talks begin Germany coalition: Merkel courts SPD in pivotal talks
(about 5 hours later)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has launched a new round of coalition talks in a bid to end the country's political stalemate. German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she is hopeful that fresh coalition talks aimed at ending the country's political stalemate can succeed.
More than three months after its election, Germany is still without a new government. More than three months after a general election, Germany is still without a new government.
The five-day talks will include Mrs Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU), its sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democrats (SPD).The five-day talks will include Mrs Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU), its sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democrats (SPD).
Many see this as her last chance to form a stable coalition.Many see this as her last chance to form a stable coalition.
"I believe the talks can succeed," Mrs Merkel said as she arrived at the SPD headquarters in Berlin.
"I'm going into these talks with optimism, indeed it's clear that in these few days we have a huge amount of work ahead of us, but we're willing to take on this work and achieve a good outcome," she added.
Why is there still deadlock?Why is there still deadlock?
The centre-left SPD has governed jointly with the chancellor's centre-right party for eight of the last 12 years. But, after a historically poor poll result in September, SPD leader Martin Schulz had vowed to take his party into opposition.The centre-left SPD has governed jointly with the chancellor's centre-right party for eight of the last 12 years. But, after a historically poor poll result in September, SPD leader Martin Schulz had vowed to take his party into opposition.
Pressure has mounted on the SPD since November, when Mrs Merkel failed to cobble together a coalition with the liberal FDP and the Greens.Pressure has mounted on the SPD since November, when Mrs Merkel failed to cobble together a coalition with the liberal FDP and the Greens.
The chancellor must now convince SPD leaders that they have enough common goals to start formal coalition negotiations by March or April.The chancellor must now convince SPD leaders that they have enough common goals to start formal coalition negotiations by March or April.
As she arrived at the talks, Mrs Merkel said she was optimistic a deal could be struck. Mr Schulz, meanwhile, said he would not draw any red lines and that "new times call for new politics". Mr Schulz has said he would not draw any red lines and that "new times call for new politics".
European Union allies, such as France, see Germany as a pillar of stability in the bloc and will be hoping Mrs Merkel succeeds.European Union allies, such as France, see Germany as a pillar of stability in the bloc and will be hoping Mrs Merkel succeeds.
However, according to one opinion poll on Sunday, one in three voters thought Sunday's talks would fail, although 54% said a revived "grand coalition" of the big parties would be positive for Germany.However, according to one opinion poll on Sunday, one in three voters thought Sunday's talks would fail, although 54% said a revived "grand coalition" of the big parties would be positive for Germany.
What are the sticking points?What are the sticking points?
Immigration, Europe, tax, and healthcare could all become points of contention.Immigration, Europe, tax, and healthcare could all become points of contention.
Within the SPD, there are fears that rejoining a grand coalition would cost the party yet more support. The party's poll ratings are down and some centre-left critics argue the SPD has given up its core principles to cling to power with Mrs Merkel.Within the SPD, there are fears that rejoining a grand coalition would cost the party yet more support. The party's poll ratings are down and some centre-left critics argue the SPD has given up its core principles to cling to power with Mrs Merkel.
Mr Schulz said on Sunday he wanted to bring German up-to-date on education policy, housing investment and infrastructure. Mr Schulz said on Sunday he wanted to bring Germany up to date in education policy, housing investment and infrastructure.
In her comments, the chancellor focused on internal and external security as well as social cohesion. The foundations had to be laid for years of prosperity so that Germans could live in safety and democracy, she said.In her comments, the chancellor focused on internal and external security as well as social cohesion. The foundations had to be laid for years of prosperity so that Germans could live in safety and democracy, she said.
Mrs Merkel is facing pressure from conservatives, who say she has abandoned traditional values and driven voters towards the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is now represented in the federal parliament for the first time.Mrs Merkel is facing pressure from conservatives, who say she has abandoned traditional values and driven voters towards the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is now represented in the federal parliament for the first time.
Analysis: A government by Easter? Both sides face a balancing act
By Damien McGuinness, BBC Berlin correspondent By Damien McGuinness, BBC News, Berlin
More than three months have passed since the elections - the longest period of coalition-building Germany has ever known. Party leaders are keen to strike a deal. They know that otherwise Germany could end up with an unstable minority government, or the uncertainty of fresh elections.
It's not a crisis. And there is a caretaker government. But it does mean that important decisions about the future of Germany, and the EU, are on hold. But party members on both sides are less enthusiastic. They worry that the compromises needed for an agreement will betray party ideology. And polls appear to show diminishing support for a re-run of a governing coalition between the conservatives and the centre-left.
So pressure is building to form a coalition. If talks go well, a government could be in place by Easter. So Angela Merkel and Martin Schulz will have to somehow compromise on controversial issues such as taxation and refugees - while at the same time convincing their grassroots supporters that they have remained loyal to core values.
There will be disagreements, such as on refugees or taxation. But there are also common interests. And none of the parties like the idea of the alternatives to a coalition deal: either an unstable minority government, or fresh elections - which would mean a long period of uncertainty.
Will the talks succeed?Will the talks succeed?
Leaders from the three potential allies met on 3 January to discuss preliminary issues, and have sounded an optimistic note since then.Leaders from the three potential allies met on 3 January to discuss preliminary issues, and have sounded an optimistic note since then.
"Confidence has grown, and we go into the talks with optimism," a joint declaration said."Confidence has grown, and we go into the talks with optimism," a joint declaration said.
SPD Chairman Mr Schulz spoke of a "very focused, meaningful debate". Mr Schulz spoke of a "very focused, meaningful debate".
Horst Seehofer of the CSU said he felt the parties would probably agree to govern together, saying: "I think we'll manage it."Horst Seehofer of the CSU said he felt the parties would probably agree to govern together, saying: "I think we'll manage it."
The parties have agreed to a media blackout during the talks, which will finish on Thursday.The parties have agreed to a media blackout during the talks, which will finish on Thursday.
If they prove successful - and the SPD's members vote to proceed - full-blown coalition talks will follow.If they prove successful - and the SPD's members vote to proceed - full-blown coalition talks will follow.
What happens if they fail?What happens if they fail?
If talks fail, Mrs Merkel could form a less stable minority government with the Greens, with SPD support.If talks fail, Mrs Merkel could form a less stable minority government with the Greens, with SPD support.
However, she has previously said she would prefer a fresh election to that eventuality.However, she has previously said she would prefer a fresh election to that eventuality.