German parties to start talks for new government in January

Berlin Dec 21 (IANS) Germany s Social Democrats (SPD) and the Conservatives Union announced on Wednesday that they will hold exploratory talks for government formation from January 7 to 12 according to local media.

The decision was announced after lengthy deliberation among SPD chairman Martin Schulz Christian Democratic Union (CDU) head Chancellor Angela Merkel and Horst Seehofer head of CDU s Bavarian sister Christian Social Union and other senior officials from the three parties Xinhua cited Focus Online as saying.

"It was a good conversation in a trusting atmosphere and we agreed on the further procedure of sounding out " the three parties were quoted as saying.

Party leaders agreed to discuss 15 topics including finance/taxes business energy family and migration integration and others.

The statement also noticed that a report of exploratory talks will be presented on January 12 which will be discussed by every party.

Germany is now in a vacancy of new government since the September 24 federal elections the longest period ever since 1949.

--IANS
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