Oct. 6 (UPI) — For the first time in 16 years, a center-left-led government could replace the right in Germany.
The Greens and liberals announced their willingness Wednesday to enter formal coalition talks with the Social Democratic party (SPD). A coalition could be formed in coming days with SPDP’s Olaf Scholz, finance minister, possibly succeeding Angela Merkel as German chancellor.
The three parties are to begin talks Thursday. Green leaders Annalena Baerbock and Robert Habeck expressed their interest to enter serious negotiations 10 days after the Sept. 26 national election, followed by Free Democrats’ leader Christian Lindner.
Lindner said the SPD would cease talks with the Christian Democrats, led by Armin Laschet, and would enter a centrist government that strengthened the “value of freedom.”
Results of the close election show that the SPD narrowly beat the conservatives, but only secured 206 seats of a 735-seat parliament. They need 192 more seats to form a majority government, which may be possible if the coalition is formed.