Merkel's fourth term in doubt as talks on forming coalition government fail
Germany elections
Merkel's conservative party has been trying to reach a comprise with the FDP and Greens over immigration, climate change, European Union and taxes
Chancellor Angela Merkel failed to reach a compromise on Sunday night on forming a coalition government with the Free Democrats (FDP) and the Greens over hot-button issues in Germany.
Merkel's conservative party has been trying to reach a comprise with the FDP and Greens over immigration, climate change, European Union and taxes but hasn't reached a deal on any issue. The deadline for talks on Sunday night passed with no announcement being made.
FDP leader Christian Lindner refused to rejoin talks putting Merkel's fourth term in office in peril.
"Today there was no progress but rather there were setbacks because targeted compromises were questioned, it is better not to rule than to rule falsely. Goodbye!," Lindner said.
Merkel would be forced to lead a minority government or call for fresh elections if the coalition fails to come together strengthing the far-right AfD (Alternative for Germany) which has consistently said it was against immigration in the country.
Julia Kloeckner, deputy chair of Merkel's Christian Democrats said,"Everyone has to take a success back home. People must ask themselves if they are prepared for this to fail over details."
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However, the Greens are unmoved with future of talks in danger of collapsing completely.
Greens chairwoman Nicola Beer said: "The FDP is now waiting for the Greens and the conservatives to see how far they are prepared to go and if we can then look each other in the eye."
Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) and Bavaria's Christian Social Union now face an uncertain future with numbers in the German Parliament the Bundestag against them, the Greens and FDP are however unmoved.