Weakened Merkel launches formal coalition talks in bid to form government by December
Angela Merkel began
talks on forming a new coalition on Wednesday, more than three weeks
after suffering damaging losses in German elections.
“This will be among the hardest coalition negotiations in the history of the federal republic,” Volker Bouffier, one of the most senior figures in her Christian Democrat party (CDU), said.
Mrs Merkel appeared upbeat as she held separate meetings in Berlin with the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) and the Green Party. She will need the support of both in order to command a majority in parliament.
But negotiations are expected to be drawn out, with the three parties deeply divided on key issues including immigration and European Union reform, and it could be January before a new government is formed.
Christian Lindner, the FDP leader, called for Germany to start planning for life after Mrs Merkel in an interview ahead of the talks.
“This will be among the hardest coalition negotiations in the history of the federal republic,” Volker Bouffier, one of the most senior figures in her Christian Democrat party (CDU), said.
Mrs Merkel appeared upbeat as she held separate meetings in Berlin with the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) and the Green Party. She will need the support of both in order to command a majority in parliament.
But negotiations are expected to be drawn out, with the three parties deeply divided on key issues including immigration and European Union reform, and it could be January before a new government is formed.
Christian Lindner, the FDP leader, called for Germany to start planning for life after Mrs Merkel in an interview ahead of the talks.
“I expect the CDU to open a debate over the succession to
Angela Merkel over the next four years,” he told Stern magazine, adding
that she had suffered a “clear loss of authority” following the
election.
But representatives of both parties spoke of a “very constructive exchange” after initial talks over pumpkin soup and meatballs.
Katrin Göring-Eckardt, the Green Party leader, said her party was approaching the talks seriously to see if there is enough common ground for a coalition.
But representatives of both parties spoke of a “very constructive exchange” after initial talks over pumpkin soup and meatballs.
Katrin Göring-Eckardt, the Green Party leader, said her party was approaching the talks seriously to see if there is enough common ground for a coalition.
The
start of talks was postponed until after last weekend’s regional
elections in the state of Lower Saxony. Mrs Merkel took advantage of the
delay to patch up differences over immigration with her Bavarian sister
party, the Christian Social Union (CSU) whose support she will also
need if she is to form a government.
But a deal with the CSU to target a limit on migrant numbers of 200,000 a year could prove hard to sell to the other two parties.
But a deal with the CSU to target a limit on migrant numbers of 200,000 a year could prove hard to sell to the other two parties.
The
Green Party is opposed to any form of limit, and Anton Hofreiter, a
senior Green, dismissed the new limit as “smoke and mirrors” ahead of
Wednesday's talks.
The FDP is insisting on its own alternative proposal of a new immigration law which would distinguish between political refugees, those seeking temporary asylum from war zones, and economic migrants.
“Germany needs an immigration policy that balances our humanitarian obligations with the interests of our country,” Mr Lindner said.
The FDP will also seek assurances from Mrs Merkel over Emmanuel Macron’s proposals for Eurozone reform. Mrs Merkel is thought to want to offer Mr Macron qualified support, but the FDP is implacably opposed to the proposals.
Mrs Merkel’s biggest headache may be getting the FDP and the Greens to work together. The two parties, which are poles apart on most issues, are to meet on Thursday without the CDU present to see if they can find common ground.
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The FDP is insisting on its own alternative proposal of a new immigration law which would distinguish between political refugees, those seeking temporary asylum from war zones, and economic migrants.
“Germany needs an immigration policy that balances our humanitarian obligations with the interests of our country,” Mr Lindner said.
The FDP will also seek assurances from Mrs Merkel over Emmanuel Macron’s proposals for Eurozone reform. Mrs Merkel is thought to want to offer Mr Macron qualified support, but the FDP is implacably opposed to the proposals.
Mrs Merkel’s biggest headache may be getting the FDP and the Greens to work together. The two parties, which are poles apart on most issues, are to meet on Thursday without the CDU present to see if they can find common ground.
Many ESC fans from all over the world are so very sad because we lost Joy Fleming - one of the best singers ever.
Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel sings 'Try to remember' especially for Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund at Vita Magica September
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Vita Magica Betty MacDonald event with Wolfgang Hampel, Thomas Bödigheimer and Friedrich von Hoheneichen
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