BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged early Monday to maintain stability after the Free Democratic Party pulled out of talks on forming a new government with her conservative bloc and the left-leaning Greens, raising the possibility of new elections. “It is at least a day of deep reflection on how to go forward in Germany,” Merkel said. The Free Democrats also expressed concern about what the moves would mean for jobs and Germany’s economic competitiveness. Free Democrat leader Christian LindnerMerkel said that “we thought we were on a path where we could have reached agreement,” when that the Free Democrats decided to pull out. Party leader Martin Schulz as recently as Sunday again ruled out the possibility of pairing up with Merkel’s bloc to form a new government.

Source: National Post November 20, 2017 02:09 UTC