Grand coalition plans questioned by SPD deputies

BERLIN: A group of Social Democrat (SPD) deputies is questioning their party’s rejection of a renewed “grand coalition” with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives to resolve Germany’s worst political crisis of modern times, according to reports.

SPD leader Martin Schulz wants the party to go into opposition after September polls that brought support to its lowest level since foundation of the modern Federal Republic in 1949. The uncertainty has raised concern across Europe at a time when the EU faces complex political and economic problems.

But consensus within the party appears to be crumbling with roughly a fifth of 153 SPD lawmakers expressing doubts about the decision at a meeting of the parliamentary group, reports said.

Merkel’s bid to forge a three-way alliance with the pro-business Free Democrats and the environmental Greens collapsed on Sunday, raising the prospect of new elections or a minority government if the SPD refuses to govern with the conservatives.

SPD lawmaker Johannes Kahrs, spokesperson for the Seeheimer Circle, a conservative wing in the party, urged Schulz to keep an open mind when he meets on today with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to discuss a way forward.

Kahrs said that the collapse of the three-way coalition talks had created “a new situation”.

“We cannot just tell the German president, ‘Sorry, that’s it’,” he said.

Reports say German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who handed leadership of the SPD to Schulz and became foreign minister earlier this year, also favours a resumed tie-up with conservatives.

Gabriel declined to comment on the issue during an event with the Qatari foreign minister on Tuesday.

Merkel has said she would prefer new elections to an unstable minority government. Until a government is agreed, she continues as acting chancellor and previous ministers remain in post, while the newlyelected parliament also proceeds with business.