icon bookmark-bicon bookmarkicon cameraicon checkicon chevron downicon chevron lefticon chevron righticon chevron upicon closeicon v-compressicon downloadicon editicon v-expandicon fbicon fileicon filtericon flag ruicon full chevron downicon full chevron lefticon full chevron righticon full chevron upicon gpicon insicon mailicon moveicon-musicicon mutedicon nomutedicon okicon v-pauseicon v-playicon searchicon shareicon sign inicon sign upicon stepbackicon stepforicon swipe downicon tagicon tagsicon tgicon trashicon twicon vkicon yticon wticon fm
3 Nov, 2017 10:32

Merkel still ‘optimistic’ of coalition despite little progress after 2 weeks of talks

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is “still optimistic” about the chances of putting together a coalition that will form the country’s next government. Almost two weeks of talks have produced little visible progress, AP said. Merkel stated on Friday that she expects “difficult” negotiations ahead, but still believes “that we can tie the ends together if we make an effort.” Negotiators from Merkel’s conservative Union bloc, the pro-business Free Democrats, and the traditionally left-leaning Greens have struggled to find common ground on issues including immigration, climate protection and agriculture since September 24 election.