German coalition talks reach breakthrough

World
Europe

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) announced a breakthrough on Friday after marathon coalition talks, saying they are ready for a "fresh start" in trying to form a government.

After more than 24 hours of negotiations, the two sides reported progress on key issues, including migration, finance and taxes, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported.

After the parties cleared those obstacles, Merkel said she was "optimistic" they could seal a deal on a "stable" right-left "grand coalition" government.

SPD leader Martin Schulz said that his party's negotiators had agreed "unanimously" to recommend to the rank and file to back the draft coalition agreement and launch final negotiations.

"I think we achieved an excellent result," Schulz said. "The negotiations were long, tough, exciting and turbulent."

Acting German Chancellor Angela Merkel and leader of the Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) Horst Seehofer shake hands during a news conference after exploratory talks about forming a new coalition government at the SPD headquarters in Berlin on Friday. / ‍Reuters Photo

The coalition blueprint includes a pledge to, "in close partnership with France, sustainably strengthen and reform the eurozone so that the euro can better withstand global crises."

"The world is not waiting for us – we need a fresh start in Europe," Merkel said. "A fresh start for Europe is also a fresh start for Germany."

Although her Christian Democrats differ with many of French President Emmanuel Macron's proposals for sweeping reforms of the European Union, Merkel expressed hope they would hammer out compromises to address major challenges facing the bloc.

"We will find solutions with France," she added

(With inputs from agencies.)

7368km