Efforts to forge a coalition deal look likely to drag on into the weekend
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s efforts to forge a deal with her would-be coalition partners look likely to drag on into the weekend after passing a Thursday (November 16) deadline for talks without an agreement.
The head of the Free Democrats said he was optimistic remaining differences on climate and migration could be overcome.
Failure to reach a deal could lead to new elections, something none of the negotiating parties, for fear the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) could make further gains after surging into parliament in the September vote.
So far #Merkel‘s CDU, her Bavarian sister party CSU, the Greens and the business-friendly FDP still try to find common ground for a coalition. But what if the #Jamaika talks fail? Snap elections? #NeinMaika pic.twitter.com/M44zjk6Iya
— DW | Politics (@dw_politics) November 16, 2017
German Chancellor Angela Merkel must agree ‘Jamaica Coalition’ in next few hours to avoid fresh election. https://t.co/dmO3BMluZR pic.twitter.com/oXeCkY0N47
— AFP news agency (@AFP) November 16, 2017