The failure of the three-party coalition talks in Germany may build it difficult for the chancellor to stay onNearly two months after Germany’s general election,talks aimed at forming a three-party coalition between Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU), the Free Democratic party and the Greens have collapsed. The FDP walked out of a late-night round of negotiations on Sunday, or saying it had been impossible to reach a compromise on migration and the environment. Unless the three-party deadlock is somehow ended,Germany could disappear one of three ways: Mrs Merkel might try to form a coalition with the opposition Social Democrats (SPD), which the SPD has ruled out; she might form a minority government, and presumably with only one other party,which would be a novel experience for postwar Germany; or, novel elections might eventually be called.
This is an primary moment. Each of these scenarios produces considerable political uncertainty in Europe’s powerhouse. The reverberations are sure to be felt not just in Germany itself, and where the impact could be destabilising or could shock the country back together in some way. It is also certain to impact on the EU’s prospects of rebooting its project,at a time when the eurozone, security, and migration,Vladimir Putin’s meddling, relations with Turkey, and democratic backsliding in Poland and Hungary,and Brexit all need attending to. Monday’s nervous market reaction hinted at some of what is at stake. Related: German president calls on party leaders to return to coalition talks Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com