Merkel fourth term in doubt as German coalition talks fail

Berlin, November 20

Efforts to form a three-way coalition government have failed,  Chancellor Angela Merkel said today, pitching Germany into its worse political crisis for decades, raising the prospect of fresh elections and casting doubt over her future.

The pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) withdrew from talks after more than four weeks of fruitless negotiations with Merkel’s conservative bloc and the environmentalist Greens, saying there was not enough common ground.

With German leadership seen as crucial for a European Union grappling with governance reform and Britain’s impending exit, FDP leader Christian Lindner’s announcement that he was pulling out spooked investors and sent the euro falling.

A tired-looking Merkel said she would stay on as acting chancellor and consult President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on how to move forward. A deal had been within reach, she said.

Steinmeier, who in the ordinary course of events is meant to play a non-partisan role above the cut-and-thrust of party politics, was due to give a statement.

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

The failure of talks is unprecedented in Germany’s post-war history, and was likened by newsmagazine Der Spiegel to the shock election of US President Donald Trump or Britain’s referendum vote to leave the EU — moments when countries cast aside reputations for stability built up over decades. The collapse came as a surprise since the main sticking points — immigration and climate change policy — were not seen as FDP signature issues.  — Reuters

European allies worry about loss of leadership 

• The Free Democrats withdrew from talks after more than four weeks of fruitless negotiations with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc and the environmentalist Greens, saying there was not enough common ground
• The collapse came as a surprise since the main sticking points — immigration and climate change policy — were not seen as FDP signature issues
• Dutch foreign minister Halbe Zijlstra described the collapse as ‘bad news for Europe’
• France wants a strong & stable Germany to move Europe forward, President Emmanuel Macron said.