Pressure on SPD to join hands with Merkel

Grand coalition will help avoid political instability in Europe’s largest economy

Pressure is mounting on Germany’s Social Democrats to join Chancellor Angela Merkel in a revived alliance and end the impasse threatening political stability in Europe’s largest economy.

While Merkel has publicly stated she’s open to another election, her backers are betting that the SPD will abandon its aversion to a rerun of the “grand coalition,” according to people familiar with discussions in Berlin. That alliance of Germany’s two biggest parties underpinned two of Merkel’s three terms, including the last four years.

“The SPD is wrestling with itself, and it would be better not to interfere with clever advice from the sidelines,” Peter Altmaier, Merkel’s chief of staff, told broadcaster N24 yesterday. “People want an effective government in place, and that is the task we are setting ourselves. We would like everyone to see it the same way.”

After talks with the Greens and Free Democrats collapsed on Sunday, another grand coalition would require overcoming resistance by SPD leaders as well as rank and file after the party emerged battered from previous pacts.

The appeal for a change of course focuses on the need for German stability at a critical time for the country and the European Union amid nationalist pressures and challenges posed by Brexit. For the time being at least, SPD officials aren’t being swayed.

Firm decision

“We made a firm decision on Monday that we will not shy away from new elections,” SPD deputy leader Thorsten Schaefer-Guembel said in an interview with public broadcaster ZDF yesterday. “Given what has happened, the people must have another chance to have their say. We currently see no basis for a grand coalition.”

It’s very important to avoid allowing the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany from becoming the main opposition group in parliament, SchaeferGuembel added, reiterating the party line on why it wants to stay out of government.