Merkel’s conservatives, SPD to start talks on new govt January 7

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives and the Social Democrats (SPD) will start exploratory talks on forming a new German government on January 7 and aim to decide whether to enter full coalition talks by January 12, Reuters said, citing the parties’ statement. Representatives of the SPD and the conservatives met on Wednesday and said they had held a “good discussion.” A renewed ‘grand coalition’ with the SPD is seen as  Merkel’s best chance of securing a fourth term as chancellor, Reuters said. Earlier talks on forming a three-way alliance with two other parties broke down.