Germany’s centre-left Social Democrats (SDP) have agreed to talk with their former coalition partners, current Chancellor Angela Merkel’s centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU).
Merkel has been unable to form a coalition since a September election. Attempts to form a government fell apart last month after weeks of talks.
SPD leader Martin Schulz previously ruled out going back into coalition with the CDU, but on Thursday (7 December) the party agreed to “open-ended” talks.
The two parties have ruled together since 2013, but at September’s election the SPD got its worst results since 1949, leading Schulz to vow they would go into opposition.
Since the CDU’s talks with the liberal FDP and the Greens collapsed, the SPD has come under intense pressure to join the talks.
Schulz has promised to be an advocate of the European Union, calling at one point for a United States of Europe “by 2025”.
Merkel said in response that her goal was better co-operation between countries.
Talks are due to begin next week and could lead to another grand coalition between the two big parties, to a minority government led by Mrs Merkel, or to new elections.
