German Chancellor Angela Merkel joins talks to form Germany’s next coalition government on November 19, 2017. (Photo: Bloomberg)

FDP’s spokesperson said the party withdrew from the talks after failing to find common ground with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Green Party. Mrs. Merkel expressed her regret at the failure and promised she will lead Germany past this crisis.