German parties to discuss new government under center-left

The two parties that emerged as likely kingmakers in Germany’s election last month say they want to hold talks on a possible new government under the leadership of outgoing center-left Social Democrats

BERLIN -- The two parties that emerged as the likely kingmakers in Germany's election last month said Wednesday that they want to hold talks on a possible new government under the leadership of outgoing center-left Social Democrats.

If ultimately successful — which is far from certain — the negotiations would send outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel’s center-right Union bloc into opposition after 16 years at the helm of Europe’s biggest economy.

But such exploratory talks are the first of several steps toward a new coalition government, and both parties said a coalition with the Union isn’t off the table.

Germany’s Sept. 26 election left two parties as likely kingmakers: the Greens, who finished third, and the business-friendly Free Democrats, who finished fourth. Those two parties could team up with either the Social Democrats, who narrowly won the election, or the Union for a parliamentary majority.