The president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has called on political leaders to rethink their positions and try again to form a government. “Europe and many other states in the world are waiting for us”, said Schäuble, who is president of the German parliament. It had hoped that a strong German coalition, including the FDP, might help smooth the next phase of negotiations. Collapse of German coalition talks underlines Merkel's weaknesses Read moreProlonged uncertainty in Berlin will also raise concerns in France, where Emmanuel Macron was hoping that a strong German government would help with his plans for eurozone reforms. Steinmeier previously appealed for German politicians to think of Europe as he called for coalition talks to resume.

Source: The Guardian November 21, 2017 09:21 UTC