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Monday, November 27, 2017, 22:35
Merkel: Stability for Germany main goal in coalition talks
By Associated Press
Monday, November 27, 2017, 22:35 By Associated Press

In this photo taken with a red television camera control light in the fore ground, German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses a news conference after a board meeting of her Christian Democratic Union party at the headquarters in Berlin, Nov 27, 2017. (MARKUS SCHREIBER / AP)

BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday her conservative bloc is willing to start talks on trying to forge a "stable government" with the center-left Social Democrats, with an eye on the large challenges Germany faces both internationally and domestically.

For us it is important that we achieve stability for our country, and that we are the anchor of that stability

Angela Merkel

Chancellor, Germany

"We are ready to hold talks with the Social Democrats ... in a serious, engaged, honest way and obviously with the intention of success as well," Merkel told reporters after a meeting with her party's leadership in Berlin.

READ MORE: Merkel fourth term in doubt as German coalition talks fail

Talks between Merkel's conservative bloc and two smaller parties to form a previously untried coalition collapsed a week ago. Merkel's partners in the outgoing government, the Social Democrats, initially refused to consider another so-called "grand coalition" after a disastrous showing in the election.

But following an appeal from the country's president they reversed course Friday and said they are now open to holding talks.

Merkel said that her conservative bloc was "prepared to take responsibility" for governing again, while acknowledging that compromise would be necessary to form another alliance with the Social Democrats.

"For us it is important that we achieve stability for our country, and that we are the anchor of that stability," she said.

ALSO READ: Haggling on new German govt enters critical phase

The chancellor said that in the face of problems in Germany and Europe, but also "regarding the conflicts in the Middle East, the situation in Russia, and the situation in the USA," the government needs to be "capable of acting."

Merkel, the leader of her party's Bavarian-only sister Christian Social Union, Horst Seehofer, and Social Democratic leader Martin Schulz are due to meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, a leading member of Merkel's Christian Democrats suggested coalition talks with the Social Democrats will only get underway in earnest next year.

Julia Kloeckner, a deputy leader of the Christian Democrats, said on public television ARD that thoroughness is more important than speed.

If Merkel can't put together a coalition, the only options would be a minority government or a new election, months after the Sept 24 vote.

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