Germany’s centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) will start on Thursday centre-left coalition talks following an inconclusive national election.
The talks will only include the Greens and business-friendly Free Democrats (FDP).
“I have just proposed to Mr Scholz, in agreement with the Greens, to meet tomorrow for a discussion between the three of us. And that will happen”, said FDP leader Christian Lindner at a press conference on Wednesday.
It comes after the Greens had earlier announced their coalition preferences.
“We have come to the conclusion that it is now logical to continue discussing with the SPD and the FDP, with a deeper search for common ground,” Greens leader Annalena Baerbock told reporters.
The move was considered a blow to the conservatives’ leader Armin Laschet, who presided over their worst ever electoral performance.
He has not yet given up: “We are also ready for further talks.”
Germany’s centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) have won 25.7% of the vote, according to the preliminary results of the German election.
However, Angela Merkel’s conservatives have suffered their worst postwar result.
The center-left Social Democrats will now lead a coalition negotiations with party leader Olaf Scholz claiming a “clear mandate” to form the government for the first time since 2005.
Negotiations could take months, and the SPD may take the first chance to form a government.