Angela Merkel says calling a new election would be 'totally wrong' after Social Democrats throw her a lifeline

  • Chancellor Angela Merkel said that  she wanted to form a government 'quickly'
  • It comes after she was left in a desperate position after coalition talks collapsed
  • She said: 'Asking voters to go to the polls again would, I think, be totally wrong'
  • Yesterday the SPD U-turned on talks with Merkel and raised chance of a coalition
By Iain Burns For Mailonline and Reuters
Published: 13:25 GMT, 25 November 2017 | Updated: 14:03 GMT, 25 November 2017 
 
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said today she wanted to get a new government in place 'quickly' - and ruled out holding new elections.
It comes after she was left scrambling to find a way to govern when three-way coalition talks collapsed last Sunday.
'Europe needs a strong Germany, it is desirable to get a government in place quickly,' Merkel told a party meeting, adding, however, that her acting government was able to carry on day to day business in Europe's biggest economy.
She added: 'Asking voters to go to the polls again would, I think, be totally wrong.'

'Europe needs a strong Germany, it is desirable to get a government in place quickly,' Merkel (pictured) told a party meeting, adding, however, that her acting government was able to carry on day to day business in Europe's biggest economy


'Europe needs a strong Germany, it is desirable to get a government in place quickly,' Merkel (pictured) told a party meeting, adding, however, that her acting government was able to carry on day to day business in Europe's biggest economy

On Monday, Merkel had said she would prefer new elections to a minority government.   
Addressing party members today, Merkel argued voters had given her conservatives a mandate to rule in a September 24 election which handed her party the most parliamentary seats but limited coalition options. 
She added she was prepared to talk to the Social Democrats (SPD) after the centre-left party reversed an earlier decision and said it was prepared to talk to Merkel's conservatives, but she stressed any talks should be based on mutual respect.
Merkel's fourth term was cast into doubt when the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) walked out of talks with her conservative bloc and the Greens last Sunday, causing a political impasse in Europe's biggest economy.
But on Friday, the Social Democrats (SPD) reversed a previous decision and agreed to talk to Merkel, raising the possibility of an extension of the 'grand coalition' which has ruled Germany for the last four years, or a minority government.  
Sounding self-assured, even cracking the odd joke, and receiving regular applause during her speech, Merkel said she wanted to look ahead after the setbacks of the last week and she clearly turned her attention to the SPD.
She welcomed the opportunity to explore the possibilities with the SPD, provided it take place on the basis of mutual respect.
Merkel defended the record of the last 'grand coalition', saying under its leadership Germany enjoyed the strongest labour market for decades, a balanced budget and pensioners and families had benefited.


Addressing party members today, Merkel argued voters had given her conservatives a mandate to rule in a September 24 election which handed her party the most parliamentary seats but limited coalition options
Addressing party members today, Merkel argued voters had given her conservatives a mandate to rule in a September 24 election which handed her party the most parliamentary seats but limited coalition options