Now playing Next Europe News SPD base could veto German coalition Germany is inching closer toward forming a new government. The Social Democrats led by Martin Schulz narrowly voted on Sunday to start talks with Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats. If talks go well, Merkel could begin her fourth term as Chancellor by April. 22/01/2018
Now playing Next Europe News Brief from Brussels: EU at heart of German talks, Farage meets Barnier In this edition of the Brief from Brussels: The EU said to be “fundamental” to Germany coalition talks; and Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage meets 08/01/2018
Now playing Next Germany Germany's Merkel battles for survival in 'last-ditch' talks with SPD The CDU-CSU are in preliminary talks with the Social Democrats (SPD) in what some are labelling a last chance to form a stable coalition in Germany. 08/01/2018
Now playing Next Germany SPD votes to open German coalition talks The centre-left party has given the green light for the start of negotiations with Chancellor Merkel's conservatives, as leader Martin Schulz made an impassioned speech calling for a United States of Europe 'by 2025' 07/12/2017
Now playing Next Germany Germany's SPD says grand coalition 'not automatic' "We have a lot of options for building a government," says Martin Schulz. 01/12/2017
Now playing Next Germany Merkel presses SPD over joining new German coalition Angela Merkel has reached out to the Social Democrats in a bid to create a new coalition without calling fresh elections. 27/11/2017
Now playing Next Germany Germany's SPD urged to drop opposition to joining "grand coalition" Key ally of Chancellor Merkel urges SPD to change mind to ensure stable government after collapse of coalition talks 23/11/2017
Now playing Next Germany Germany - "a coalition deal by Christmas" Germany is potentially facing months of tough coalition talks. 25/09/2017
Now playing Next Germany Five takeaways from Germany’s election What did we learn from the country's election on Sunday? 25/09/2017
Now playing Next Germany German SPD vows to rebuild after election slump Germen SPD supporters look to the future and vow to rebuild while in opposition 24/09/2017
Now playing Next Germany Germany's SPD fall to new post-WWll low "A bitter and difficult day" - Martin Schulz after SPD's worst result since 1940s 24/09/2017
Now playing Next Germany German voters 'undecided' hours before polls open Germany’s candidates campaign for one final time, as polls suggest a third of the electorate is still undecided over who to vote for in Sunday's general election. 23/09/2017
Now playing Next Germany Martin Schulz reaches out to undecided voters in massive Berlin rally Martin Schulz reaches out to undecided voters in massive Berlin rally 23/09/2017
Now playing Next Germany Youth uninspired by Social Democrats and 'the Schulz Effect' These young people are campaigning outside a shopping mall in the Neukölln district of Berlin. 22/09/2017
Now playing Next Germany Martin Schulz: a classic social democrat When Martin Schulz was nominated by Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) in March to run against conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel, everything looked possible. 22/09/2017
Now playing Next Germany Schulz addresses voters in Lübeck The Leader of the Social Democratic Party is looking to make up ground on Chancellor Angela Merkel, who sits ten points ahead in the polls going into Sunday's federal election. 19/09/2017
Now playing Next Germany Campaigning hots up for Angela Merkel It has so far been a quiet run-up to the upcoming federal vote for the chancellor. 12/09/2017
Now playing Next Germany Martin Schulz: ‘Europe must not be scared of Turkey’ German election candidate Martin Schulz has said the European Union (EU) must not fear Turkey as the politician stepped up his war of words with 08/09/2017
Now playing Next Germany Berlin's Turkish community frustrated with Ankara's fading EU bid Some felt stabbed in the back when Social Democrat Martin Schulz said that if he became Germany's next chancellor, he would "fight" to halt Turkey's formal EU accession talks, which started in 2005. 05/09/2017
Now playing Next Germany Merkel, Schulz call for end to EU-Turkey accession talks Germany and Turkey have been at odds over Ankara’s crackdown on dissent since last year's failed coup. 04/09/2017
