As talks collapse, is it the end for Merkel?
ANGELA Merkel’s position as Europe’s most powerful politician hung i n the balance last night as she faced the prospect of snap elections.
The long-standing German chancellor was left mired in her worst political crisis after talks to form a coalition broke down over splits on contentious policy areas such as migration.
In what could prove a highly risky move, Miss Merkel yesterday said that a return to the polls was the best way to find a solution.
‘I don’t have a minority government in my plans,’ she said. ‘I don’t want to say never today, but I am very sceptical and I think that new elections would then be the better way.’
But such a move will raise concerns about a further power rise by the far-Right Alternative for Germany party, founded by neo-Nazis. It capitalised on concerns about the German leader’s handling of the migration crisis to win 12.6 per cent of the vote at the September election.
The crisis unfolded in the early hours of Sunday night when the Free Democrats (FDP) walked out after four weeks of negotiations.
Despite broad clashes on key policy areas, Miss Merkel believed agreement between a
Brexit negotiations could be sidelined
ragtag partnership made up of her Christian democrats, FDP and the Greens was possible. The talks broke down amid rows over immigration, taxation and the environment.
Miss Merkel has been under huge pressure from her Bavarian sister party over her decision to allow 1.1million asylum seekers into the country during the peak of the migration crisis.
Concerns were also raised yesterday about whether Brexit negotiations could be sidelined by Berlin as Miss Merkel, who has led since 2005, seeks to regain her domestic authority.
The country could face months with a nearpowerless administration as Miss Merkel tries to cement a fourth term. She could in theory be left in charge of a minority government for the first time in post-war Germany, or try to tempt possible coalition partners back to the table.
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