Merkel begins talks with SPD on hopes of coalition

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel is holding talks with a new group to form a coalition government.

The leaders are looking to reach a plan over the next five days.

For the chancellor, forming a new government as quickly as possible is the priority.

"I think we can succeed,” she said. “We intend to work very swiftly and intensively, always keeping in mind what the people of Germany expect from their politicians: to solve their problems and create the conditions so that people can really get involved in our country.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel gives a statement prior to a meeting with the leaders of the conservative CDU/CSU union and the social democratic SPD party on Jan. 7, 2018. /Reuters Photo

The Christian Democratic Party’s (CDU) conservative sister party from Bavaria, Christian Social Union (CSU), sees no good alternative.

"Let me say it again: We must come to an agreement,” CSU leader Horst Seehofer told reporters.

The center-left Social Democrats, however, may need more convincing. They had earlier pledged to return to the opposition, and say they will only take part in a repeat of the so-called "Grand Coalition" government if some of their key proposals are met.

"One thing is clear for the Social Democratic Party: We won’t be drawing any red lines, but we want to push through as much red politics as possible in Germany,” party leader Martin Schulz said.

Four years of compromise may have taken its toll on the three governing parties, all of which lost votes in September’s election, mainly to the far right Alternative for Germany. Talks for the CDU to govern with two smaller parties collapsed in November.

Manuela Schwesig of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) arrives for exploratory talks about forming a new coalition government at the SPD headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Jan. 7, 2018. /Reuters Photo‍

They now face a choice: Ignore the political risks and compromise again, or accept a period of extended uncertainty.

The talks aim to find out whether the parties have enough in common to even start negotiations. There is a news blackout until Thursday, which will prevent much information from coming out.

If the answer is no, then fresh elections or a minority government are likely.

(CGTN’s Guy Henderson contributed to the story.)

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