German Social Democrats face pressure over coalition talks

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German Social Democrats face pressure over coalition talks

By Andrea Shalal

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks with Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader Martin Schulz as they attend a meeting of the Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, November 21, 2017. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) faced pressure on Wednesday to consider offering coalition talks to Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives to settle the worst political crisis in modern German history.

 

A leader of the smaller Free Democrats (FDP) also raised the possibility of reviving coalition talks with the conservatives and Greens that collapsed at the weekend raising fears across Europe of stalemate in the EU's economic and political powerhouse. But the party chief later appeared to ruled it out.

 

The signs of possible flexibility came after President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in a move unprecedented for a largely ceremonial position, intervened to promote talks that could avert a disruptive early repeat election.

 

SPD leader Martin Schulz, whose party had governed in coalition under Merkel since 2013, wants to go into opposition after September polls that knocked its support to the lowest levels since formation of the modern German republic in 1949.

 

But the mass-circulation Bild newspaper said 30 members of the SPD's 153-strong parliamentary group questioned that position this week at a meeting of the parliamentary party.

 

SPD lawmaker Johannes Kahrs, spokesman for the Seeheimer Circle, a conservative wing in the party, urged Schulz to keep an open mind when he meets on Thursday with Steinmeier.

 

Kahrs told the Passauer Neue Presse newspaper that the collapse of the coalition talks had changed the situation. "We cannot just tell the German president, 'Sorry, that's it.'"

 

Bild said German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who handed leadership of the SPD to Schulz and became foreign minister earlier this year, also favours a resumed grand coalition.

 

Germany, traditionally a bastion of stability in the EU, could face months of political stagnation, further complicating agreement on reforms of euro zone governance and EU defence and asylum policies.

 

Merkel, who remains acting chancellor until a government is agreed, has said she would prefer to work with the SPD. If that failed, she would favour new elections over an unstable minority government.

 

Merkel's 12-year hold on power was shaken at the September elections partly by the arrival of the anti-immigration AfD party in parliament.

 

Guenther Oettinger, an EU commissioner and member of Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), urged the SPD to think again about its rejection of coalition talks.

 

"The long process of forming a government is weakening Germany's influence in Brussels," Oettinger told Der Spiegel newsmagazine in an interview to be published on Thursday.

 

Axel Schaefer, deputy head of the SPD's parliamentary group, urged the three political blocs to try again to reach agreement.

But he said his party would also talk with conservatives if asked to do so by Steinmeier, who is meeting with possible coalition partners this week.

 

NEW ELECTIONS?

 

A top official of the pro-business FDP told broadcaster ntv her party would not rule out reviving the three-way coalition talks if Merkel's conservatives and the Greens offered a "completely new package" of proposals.

 

"If it really was possible to build a modern republic in the coming years, then we are the last ones who would refuse to talk," FDP Secretary General Nicola Beer said.

 

But FDP chief Christian Lindner told Spiegel magazine: "For the foreseeable future, it is impossible to imagine cooperation with the Greens at the federal level."

 

Stephan Weil, the SPD premier of Lower Saxony who just completed a coalition agreement with conservatives in his state, has said a new election could leave few options other than a grand coalition anyway, the Sueddeutsche newspaper reported.

 

Joe Kaeser, chief executive of Siemens <SIEGn.DE>, told Die Welt newspaper that he hoped new elections could be avoided since the results would likely be little changed from Sept. 24.

 

A new poll released Wednesday showed that half of Germans favour a new election, while a fifth support a minority government. Only 18 percent want a renewal of the SPD-conservative coalition that ruled the past four years.

 

(Additional reporting by Michael Nienaber and Andreas Rinke; editing by Ralph Boulton)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-11-23

[steve187]

hope there is a new election

[Stargeezr]

Germany needs a new election and new leadership.

Geezer

[jinners]

Can't believe Merkel is actually still hanging in there after the wanton destruction she's committed on a beautiful country. Socialist garbage at its finest

[Guest]

Germany and Europe has done pretty well under Merkel's leadership. There has been mistakes on immigration etc. but lessons has already been learned and not to be made again.

 

 

[jinners]

3 hours ago, oilinki said:

Germany and Europe has done pretty well under Merkel's leadership. There has been mistakes on immigration etc. but lessons has already been learned and not to be made again.

 

 

yeah, whats a million north african & middle eastern asylum seekers going to cause any harm to anyone?

[Guest]

1 minute ago, jinners said:

yeah, whats a million north african & middle eastern asylum seekers going to cause any harm to anyone?

I don't know how they handle fake asylum seekers, but at least my EU country is deporting them back to their countries of origin. The people who really need help are allowed to stay.

 

The system and situation is still far from perfect, but it's improving. 

[mrdome]

6 hours ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

Germany needs a new election and new leadership.

Geezer

Well, there is nobody to step up to the plate. If there are new elections does anyone really believe Merkel's CDU will get fewer votes than the Social Democrats (or any other party) who now have dropped down to the 20+% level? There is of course no way the CDU would concede the chancellor position to them. And within her party, who would get more votes for chancellor? Ïron fist" Schäuble? Or Peter Altmaier? Someone else? No on all counts. 

 

I used to be in favor of new elections but an internet poll found that most asked felt the "Nazi's light" AFD would profit the most, so my mind changed that very moment. Minority government with the Green party it shall be. The FDP had their chance and are now welcome to join the opposition.

[mrdome]

5 hours ago, jinners said:

Can't believe Merkel is actually still hanging in there after the wanton destruction she's committed on a beautiful country. Socialist garbage at its finest

jinners, your comment shows confusion about what socialism actually is.

 

Merkel is very much like Trump actually, in that what she feels should be done, will be done, be that getting out of nuclear power generation or letting in 1 million+ refugees. That she is almost viewed like a lefty in other countries due to these two decisions is a big misunderstanding and is extremely puzzling when you actually live here and see her day to day handling; she really is as conservative as they come.

 

As you obviously don't live in Germany and I do, your claim of "destruction" is just a projection. While I disagree with the way she did it (local communes weren't prepared to accommodate so many people in such a short time and got little help, and I doubt many refugees had in mind to live in crappy conditions in some noisy gymnasium with the lights on all night and in the cold winter) we have actually done pretty well so far.

 

Of concern are some of the males who have more of a criminal mindset, including many from Northern Africa/Africa with no right to asylum. I hope the word will spread eventually that Germany is a tough place when you're not from here (and even for many who are).

 

Merkel, not being from the "selfie/social media generation", is still in denial that she may have mis-communicated to folks in far away places like Afghanistan & Syria that wonderful conditions and a much better life aren't necessarily waiting here for all, to put it mildly.

 

Personally, I'm happy for those who survived the long journey and are willing to integrate and contribute something. Plus all those who were a minority in their Muslim society, be they Christian, gay, etc. and have found much more freedom here.

 

[Srikcir]

Grand Alliance Forward!

[Grouse]

32 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Grand Alliance Forward!

 

32 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Grand Alliance Forward!

 

32 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Grand Alliance Forward!

En marche indeed!

[Morch]

4 hours ago, oilinki said:

I don't know how they handle fake asylum seekers, but at least my EU country is deporting them back to their countries of origin. The people who really need help are allowed to stay.

 

The system and situation is still far from perfect, but it's improving. 

 

I think that  in many Western countries such systems would display a gap between intended deportation figures and those actually deported. Not all that straightforward  given legalities involved. There's theory and then there's practice. Wonder how the number of actual deportations stacks against new arrivals, or rejected asylum requests.

[jinners]

21 hours ago, oilinki said:

I don't know how they handle fake asylum seekers, but at least my EU country is deporting them back to their countries of origin. The people who really need help are allowed to stay.

 

The system and situation is still far from perfect, but it's improving. 

a bit difficult to do when they destroy any evidence of their origin would you not say?

[jinners]

19 hours ago, mrdome said:

jinners, your comment shows confusion about what socialism actually is.

 

Merkel is very much like Trump actually, in that what she feels should be done, will be done, be that getting out of nuclear power generation or letting in 1 million+ refugees. That she is almost viewed like a lefty in other countries due to these two decisions is a big misunderstanding and is extremely puzzling when you actually live here and see her day to day handling; she really is as conservative as they come.

 

As you obviously don't live in Germany and I do, your claim of "destruction" is just a projection. While I disagree with the way she did it (local communes weren't prepared to accommodate so many people in such a short time and got little help, and I doubt many refugees had in mind to live in crappy conditions in some noisy gymnasium with the lights on all night and in the cold winter) we have actually done pretty well so far.

 

Of concern are some of the males who have more of a criminal mindset, including many from Northern Africa/Africa with no right to asylum. I hope the word will spread eventually that Germany is a tough place when you're not from here (and even for many who are).

 

Merkel, not being from the "selfie/social media generation", is still in denial that she may have mis-communicated to folks in far away places like Afghanistan & Syria that wonderful conditions and a much better life aren't necessarily waiting here for all, to put it mildly.

 

Personally, I'm happy for those who survived the long journey and are willing to integrate and contribute something. Plus all those who were a minority in their Muslim society, be they Christian, gay, etc. and have found much more freedom here.

 

I have no confusion over what socialism is but thanks for your concern. Merkel being a child of the east clearly has little understanding of the free and peaceful way Germany has lived since the 2nd world war and embarked on a thoroughly confusing plan to bring this horde to a totally unprepared country.

While I may not live in Germany I have done for may years in many different places. I also still have quite a few German friends who, while as usual, they are a pretty welcoming and accepting crew, are all bemused and upset at seeing many areas of where they live, from Berlin to Munchen and many places in between, being wrecked and increasingly unsafe with Slovak gypsy's, the other groups I have already mentioned, and many other undesirables now living and moving around in what were previously safe and prosperous areas. Also large parts of German industry complaining about the lack of uneducated unqualified work force they are being forced to take on.

When I lived in Germany it was a beautiful clean, for the most part safe and organised place to be. I think with your confusion of Merkel's methods versus Trump's, you were a Merkel voter and feel the need to justify screwing up your place of birth. Or, as many Labour voters are, in complete denial over the damage being done. I am still confused actually about mentioning the Donald?

Hey, your world your taxes. Good luck.

[Guest]

13 hours ago, jinners said:

a bit difficult to do when they destroy any evidence of their origin would you not say?

Each of the refugees will say where they come from, whether they have documents or not.  They therefore have a place of origin where they can be returned to. 

 

Naturally the host countries are trying to figure out what is the real truth. 

 

There has been numerous asylum seekers in Finland, who didn't find the food and the accommodation given to them as fancy as they were told back home. Lots of them have left back home. 

 

Previously they could have gone to another EU country with ease, but with biometrics like taking fingerprints, they can't do that anymore. 

 

Like I said before, the system is not perfect, but it's improving all the time.