Union and SPD Begin Coalition Talks Following German Federal Election

CDU leader Friedrich Merz aims to form a government by Easter, but SPD emphasizes no automatic coalition agreement.

Five days after the German federal election, the CDU/CSU and SPD have initiated exploratory talks in Berlin to assess the possibility of forming a coalition government.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz, CSU leader Markus Söder, and SPD leader Lars Klingbeil are leading their respective delegations, each comprising nine representatives.
The discussions aim to outline initial priorities, establish a timeline for negotiations, and address tensions from the election campaign.
Friedrich Merz has expressed a desire to expedite the process and establish a government by Easter, while SPD leader Klingbeil has cautioned that a coalition with the CDU/CSU is not guaranteed.
Key topics expected to shape negotiations include national challenges, governance priorities, and addressing policy differences between the parties.