German political limbo threatens European reform push
Angela Merkel
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and  Chancellor Angela Merkel  are seen during a session of the Bundestag in Berlin  Germany  November 21  2017. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt
Emmanuel Macron had won the French presidency on a promise to relaunch Europe. And  Angela Merkel   on track to win a fourth term as German chancellor  looked ready to embrace his bold vision  telling an audience in Bavaria that it was time for Europe to take its fate into its own hands.
So far the SPD leadership has shown no signs that it will go back on its pledge to go into opposition. On Monday   Merkel  appeared to rule out a minority government. So unless something changes  a new election could be the only way forward.
Crucially  polls suggest that a new German election would not give  Merkel  more coalition options than  she  had coming out of the Sept. 24 vote.
Indeed  if voters blamed  her  conservatives for failing to form a government the first time around   she  could emerge even weaker than  she  is now.
"German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and  Chancellor [TGT]  are seen during a session of the Bundestag in Berlin  Germany  November 21  2017. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt
Emmanuel Macron had won the French presidency on a promise to relaunch Europe. And [TGT] on track to win a fourth term as German chancellor  looked ready to embrace his bold vision  telling an audience in Bavaria that it was time for Europe to take its fate into its own hands.
So far the SPD leadership has shown no signs that it will go back on its pledge to go into opposition. On Monday   [TGT]appeared to rule out a minority government. So unless something changes  a new election could be the only way forward.
Crucially  polls suggest that a new German election would not give  [TGT]more coalition options than  [TGT]  had coming out of the Sept. 24 vote.
Indeed  if voters blamed  [TGT]  conservatives for failing to form a government the first time around   [TGT]  could emerge even weaker than  [TGT]  is now."