(VOVWORLD) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) say they hope to find clarity soon on prospects for a new ruling coalition as they gear up for exploratory talks this week.
 SPD Leader Martin Schulz and Chancellor Angela Merkel (Photo: EPA/VNA) |
The conservatives, meeting on Monday to map out their negotiating positions, believe compromises can be reached to renew the “grand coalition” that governed for the past four years. The two blocs must overcome differences over the future of Europe, pensions, health care, and education.
PD Secretary General Lars Klingbeil said his party is open to all possibilities, including a renewed coalition with conservatives or a minority government. He said the pace of negotiations depends to a large extent on the core demands of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU).