| Author (Person) | Rocha, Frederico |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Cardiff EDC |
| Series Details | November 2017 to January 2018 |
| Publication Date | 12/01/2018 |
| Content Type | News |
|
Further information: Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) announced on 15 December 2017 the decision to hold preliminary talks with the Christian Democrats led by Angela Merkel's CDU, aiming to form another grand coalition. The news came two days after social democratic leader Martin Schulz met with Ms Merkel and Bavaria's CSU leader Horst Seehofer to discuss forming a potential governing coalition. The first meeting between Mr Schulz and Ms Merkel was held at the invitation of the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on 30 November. It took place after the softening of the SPD's initial decision to lead the opposition. Many in the party showed their wariness about a reedited coalition with the CDU following the previous experience which was seen as a cause for the weak electoral result achieved in September 2017. Some in the SPD showed preference for a looser agreement in the form of a 'cooperative coalition'. This would imply a minority government led by the CDU with the tolerance of the SPD in fundamental issues like the budget. The parties involved started a new round of negotiations on 8 January 2018. Media sources reported on 12 January that Conservatives and Social Democrats had reached a preliminary agreement to pursue formal coalition talks. An SPD congress was scheduled for 21 January in which the results of the exploratory talks were voted. Background information: The Federal Election of September 2017 resulted in further fragmentation of Germany's Bundestag. The Christian Democrats secured an electoral victory but suffered substantial losses. While the Social Democrats did not benefit from that, the Liberals managed to make a comeback to the Parliament following a disastrous outcome in 2013. The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) emerged as a new parliamentary stakeholder. A more fragmented Parliament meant the Christian Democrats needed to join forces with both the Liberals and the Greens to find a majority that could support a new federal government. Initial negotiations were held for the establishment of a 'Jamaica Coalition' between the parties but these broke down in November 2017. + German Federal Election 2017: Results and Analysis Reports and analyses on the negotiations held between Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) and Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) to renew a grand coalition government following the federal election in September 2017. |
|
| Related Links |
|
| Countries / Regions | Germany |
