German coalition talks break down after FDP pulls out

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Europe

Citing irreconcilable differences, the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP) pulled out of talks to form a four party government coalition in Germany.

"Today there was no progress but rather there were setbacks because targeted compromises were questioned," FDP leader Christian Lindner told reporters after more than a month of grueling negotiations.

Germany's Free Democratic Party (FDP) leader, Christian Lindner, gives a statement as he arrives at the Reichstag building for exploratory talks about forming a new coalition government in Berlin, Germany, November 7, 2017. /Reuters Photo

"It is better not to govern than to govern badly," said Lindner, adding that "we cannot and will not answer for the spirit of the exploratory papers."

The talks, which turned increasingly acrimonious, had stumbled on issues including the divisive matter of immigration.

Merkel's liberal refugee policy that let in more than a million asylum seekers since 2015 had also pushed some voters to the far-right AfD, which in September elections campaigned on an Islamophobic and anti-immigration platform.

With the Social Democratic Party already ruling out returning to a coalition with Merkel, and the veteran leader herself refusing a minority government, Germany would likely be forced to hold new elections.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Christian Social Union (CSU) leader Horst Seehofer, German Green Party leader Cem Ozdemir and Free Democratic Party (FDP) chairman Christian Lindner are pictured inside the German Parliamentary Society during exploratory talks about forming a new coalition government in Berlin, Germany, November 16, 2017. /Reuters Photo

And Merkel, in power since 2005, would face questions from within her party on whether she is still the best candidate to lead them into a new electoral campaign.

Top-selling Bild daily said earlier Sunday that a failure to forge a coalition puts "her chancellorship in danger."

A poll by Welt online also found that 61.4% of people surveyed said a collapse of talks would mean an end to Merkel as chancellor. Only 31.5% thought otherwise.

The decision by the FDP means that Chancellor Angela Merkel will either seek to form a minority government with the Greens or a new election will be held.

Merkel later said on Monday she would meet the German president to inform him that she had failed to form a coalition government with the Greens and the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP).

German Chancellor Angela Merkel talks to the media at Christian Democratic Union (CDU) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, November 17, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The decision to meet President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who has the power to call a new election, signaled that Merkel would not seek a minority government with the Greens after the FDP unexpectedly pulled out of the coalition talks.

"It is a day of deep reflection on how to go forward in Germany," Merkel told reporters. "As chancellor, I will do everything to ensure that this country is well managed in the difficult weeks to come."

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Source(s): AFP ,Reuters