Merkel Moves to Salvage Fourth Term as President Weighs In
- Steinmeier urges new negotiations after coalition talks fail
- ‘Caretaker chancellor’ faces minority rule, fresh election
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel is determined to extend her rule over Europe’s largest economy with or without a governing majority.
Stung by the sudden collapse of coalition talks, Merkel turned to President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and her Christian Democratic Union officials to find a way forward that may result in minority rule. Steinmeier told reporters after their meeting that he’s urging all parties to return to the negotiating table and avoid a new election, calling the stalemate unprecedented in recent history.