Merkel’s ally: Talks on forming a new German “grand coalition” to begin in the New Year

Reuters reports comments from Julia Kloeckner, Vice-Chair of Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU), delivered during her interview with ARD television on Monday.

Merkel’s Conservative party agreed on Sunday to pursue a “grand coalition” with the SPD.

Key Quotes:

“Thoroughness comes before speed.”

“I expect talks to begin in the New Year.”

Elsewhere, a poll for RTL and NTV television showed 48% of SPD members were in favor of toleration, an inherently less stable form of government, and only 36% in favor of a renewed grand coalition.