SPD’S VOTE CLEARS WAY FOR FORMAL COALITION TALKS

Angela Merkel’s would-be partner in a new German government voted narrowly to continue talks with her centre-right party on Sunday, meaning resolution could be within reach following four months of political gridlock.

The vote by a convention of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) marked the clearing of a key hurdle in the creation of a governing coalition following inconclusive September elections. It came after party leaders faced down a vocal and energetic insurgency from members who wanted to abandon the talks.

Opponents of a deal say past agreements with Merkel have diluted the party’s identity and eroded its appeal, as was reflected in the SPD’s dismal 20 per cent of the vote in September — its worst showing in postwar history.

Proponents argued that the party had little choice, with a breakdown in talks likely to trigger a new election in which the SPD — Germany’s oldest party — could expect even more severe punishment from voters.

The vote clears the way for formal negotiations to kick off as Merkel’s conservative bloc and the SPD haggle over policies and control of key ministries.