Fresh hope for talks progress in Germany

The leader of Germany’s centre-left Social Democrats has said his party will join talks on forming a new government.

Martin Schulz raised the prospect of an end to the political impasse that has existed since inconclusive national elections in September after reversing his stance on the issue.

Mr Schulz told reporters in Berlin that the Social Democrats were now willing to meet with other parties, but insisted that the talks “won’t automatically take a particular direction”.

“Should the talks mean that we participate in the formation of a government, in whichever form or constellation, then our party members will vote on it first,” he said.

The move marks a U-turn for Mr Schulz, who had previously ruled out any participation in a future government after he lost to Angela Merkel’s conservative Union bloc in the 24 September vote. Mr Schulz said the party was moved to reconsider following a meeting with president Frank-walter Steinmeier.