German coalition
German coalition reaches deal on migration, no transit centres
Social Democrats hailed the agreement as a win for their party, and criticised conservatives for what Finance Minister Olaf Scholz called the “summer theatre”...
But leaders of the three parties in Merkel’s governing coalition failed to reach an agreement on Tuesday evening during a two-and-a-half-hour meeting in the German chancellery.
The coalition parties, comprising Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU), the CSU and Social Democrats (SPD), are holding a series of meetings on Monday to decide what action to take.
Germany, Europe’s economic powerhouse, has faced months of uncertainty after voters returned a fragmented parliament.
Rejection of another tie-up with conservatives “would be a disaster for Germany, the SPD and above all, for Europe,” Oppermann said.
The SPD, reluctant to repeat the bruising experience, insisted on taking the top finance job, prompting rumblings of discontent in Merkel’s camp.
The last major hurdle to end a five-month political impasse after a 24 September election, however, comes next week.
The future of the euro zone and the governance reforms proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron are seen as more pressing items for Germany than Brexit.
In an interview with the ZDF public broadcaster, she commented on the rising displeasure among conservatives over her decision to give the SPD the powerful finance ministry.
A majority of conservatives in parliament belong to the group, which advocates for small- and medium-sized businesses.
On Saturday, some 500 demonstrators marched in the Swiss capital Bern to protest against Trump’s plans to attend the WEF.
Negotiators, who have vowed to reach a decision by Friday on whether to launch formal coalition talks, predicted many more hours of hard negotiations.
SPD leader Martin Schulz, a former president of the European Parliament, made clear his priority was Europe.
Merkel said on Monday shortly after the pro-business Free Democrats withdrew from the negotiations that she would inform the German president that she could not form a coalition.
Three more rounds of more detailed exploratory talks are planned for this week and four for next. If successful, the parties can then begin formal coalition talks.