the social democrats of course we're prepared to talk. as german chancellor angela merkel eye is another grand coalition with the social democrats the greens are holding a party conference here they're discussing how to move forward and what went wrong with the failed talks that would have made them part of the ruling coalition and in an exclusive interview green party kohli. spoke to d.w. correspondent. at chamonix i mean you said not forming a coalition with the conservatives defying the americans the f.t.v. the pro-business f.t.p. would be a missed opportunity why do you think so. i think we could have achieved a lot for germany first of all germany would have got a government debt quick response to a president micro in france to commission president we could also do something in the fight against climate change we could do more for social justice in germany we agreed on so many fields including that we have to invest more into digitalisation more into education the kind of things that the liberal said in the election committee didn't matter to them obviously they didn't matter as much as they said. the liberals have blamed i'm glad ame

the line now we've seen a failed talks to even enter a coalition talks with the free democrats and the greens and now the social democrats are kind of coming round to the position that it might become their responsibility their duty to at least stop talking now you mentioned fresh elections some were calling for the oldsters nationally ruled out this coalition as you said a report we heard one s.p.d. probably leading member of the s.p.d. also saying that maybe the chancellor has just lead a minority government maybe the s.p.d. could could support that in some way is the s.b. really so divided on this issue joining a coalition or are they just playing hard to get i think it's a bit of both i mean certainly there was consensus in the party that it really needed some time to reinvent itself to potentially go into opposition there was a lot of support for that but at the same time and this is also an opportunity to govern and we can see the prices rising and they will be able to push most likely be able to push through a lot more of their benchmark policies than they did in the past a grand coalition at least on pa

be it should be very easy for her for her personally and in the meantime also for a party to go together with a social democrats and the greens and then they would have to mount geraghty now you want for the country a your party alternative for germany which pulled a surprising percentage in the september elections how big of an improvement exactly can you count on if another vote is called well we're seeing the polls at the very moment they're going up we we we're in now up to thirteen percent we have the third biggest party already in the parliament and our numbers are increasing so we don't we're not afraid of a new election but we don't think it's good for the country and again it will not it will not change the situation what we're in at the moment it will make it even more difficult for the us to come up with a new idea well all the uncertainties surrounding the coalition talks break down are you afraid the german people will want a more stable scenario in their full vote for established parties this time well people i think want to have a political change. we we cain't lot of support we one almost six million votes fro

president is due to meet the social democrats to try to break the deadlock over forming a new coalition government talks between chancellor angela merkel's conservatives the greens and the liberals collapsed last week and two months after the election so far the social democrats have stepped past leigh refused to consider joining merkel in government but some members of the party are now advocating a different approach. the conservative c.d.u. c.s.u. bloc working together with the social democrats and the federal government will the old team also form the new one there's already support for a new edition of the grand coalition the conservatives want to stay in power. so we need a partner who at the moment still refuses to go along the s.p.d. needs to quit pouting so far s.p.d. party leaders have shown no interest in governing on election night they ruled out joining a grand coalition something they reiterated after the collapse of the recent coalition to go she ations. we remain unafraid of new elections. in view of the results of this year's elections on september twenty fourth we will be available to enter into a grand coalition. you know nichols or. so. but g

be it should be very easy for her for her personally and in the meantime also for a party to go together with a social democrats and the greens and then they would have to maturity now you want for the country a your party alternative for germany which pulled a surprising percentage in the september elections how big of an improvement exactly can you count on if another vote is called well we're seeing the polls at the very moment they're going up we we we're in now up to thirteen percent we have the third biggest party already in the parliament and our numbers are increasing so we don't we're not afraid of a new election but we don't think that's good for the country and again it will not it will not change the situation what we're in at the moment it will make it even more difficult for the us to come up with a new idea well all the uncertainties surrounding the coalition talks break down are you afraid that german people will want a more stable scenario in their full vote for established parties this time well people i think want to have a political change. we we cain't lot of support we one almost six million votes from a

government here in berlin between merkel's conservatives the free democrats and the greens collapse there was hope that she could convince the social democrats to join in a coalition but mark shields just there announcing that will not happen the voters he said should be allowed to evaluate the situation he also said the s.p.d. is not afraid of new elections when he would stand again for chancellor if there are indeed fresh elections let's come back to sara brock meyers from the global public policy institute here in berlin sara does that come as a surprise to you does not come as a surprise that the s.b. do not want to enter another ground cornishman they've said this from the beginning and it was clear likely that they were not going to do that what i found surprising just now in mr schultz statement is the enthusiasm almost he expressed for fresh elections given that globally this is quite a big event it's never happened that fast in german politics before and he was even starting to come pain right there and then in his first press.

be it should be very easy for her for her personally and in the meantime also for a party to go together with a social democrats and the greens and then they would have to majority now you want for the country a your party alternative for germany which pulled a surprising percentage in the september elections how big of an improvement exactly kinny count on if another vote is called well we're seeing the polls at the very moment they're going up we we we're in now up to thirteen percent we have the third biggest party already in the parliament and our numbers are increasing so we don't we're not afraid of a new election but we don't think it's good for the country and again it will not it will not change the situation what we're in at the moment it will make it even more difficult for the us to come up with a new idea well all the uncertainties surrounding the coalition talks break down are you afraid the german people will want a more stable scenario in their full vote for established parties this time well people i think want to have a political change. we we cain't lot of support we one almost six million votes from all ov

be it should be very easy for her for her personally and in the meantime also for a party to go together with a social democrats and the greens and then they would have a demand now you want for the country a your party alternative for germany which pulled a surprising percentage in the september elections how big of an improvement exactly kinny columned on if another vote is called well we're seeing the polls at the very moment they're going up we are now up to thirteen percent we have the third biggest party already in the parliament and our numbers are increasing so we don't we're not afraid of a new election but we don't think that's good for the country and again it will not it will not change the situation what we're in at the moment it will make it even more difficult for the us to come up with a new idea well all the uncertainties surrounding the coalition talks break down are you afraid the german people will want a more stable scenario in their full vote for established parties this time well people i think want to have a political change. we we cain't lot of support we one almost six million votes from all over on

conservatives the social democrats and maybe the greens what do you make of that i think is very unlikely it doesn't really make sense. a grand coalition with the us but you would have a clear majority and not as big as it used to be but big enough and it doesn't make sense to us interesting i was at an event where it was last night and she talked about a minority government at least she did not rule it out i thought that was interesting but i still think it's moving towards that renewal of grand coalition on a minority government would be something new for germany it must be said german president. he is now the man of the hour he's talking to all the parties saying go back to the negotiating table reconsider your positions try to give germany a functioning stable government what options does he have at this point well he is the monster of the promises but in reality the parties have to decide what that will do and what he wants to avoid at all cost is fresh elections and there is no at the time. for that chancellor merkel you mentioned seeing her last night today she's in brussels she ha

coalition talks between chancellor i'm going to merkel's conservatives the liberal democrats and the green party now all eyes are on the social democrats who had previously ruled out forming another grand coalition on dirt chancellor merkel but merkel for her part says she is adamant against adamantly against fresh elections. and in the merkel speaking political base at a party conference in northern germany voters here want to know what's going to happen next in berlin merkel says she does not want new elections and for going back to voters and telling them that they have to vote again i don't agree with that asshole that's why she's now reaching out goods is that we work well together so now we need to talk about the things that didn't work and try to do them even better. but the social democrats aren't so sure one of their most senior members of the party's youth willing to take a long hard look at themselves and their party invertor it's still not clear how much of what happened is our responsibility we shouldn't let anyone put us under pressure will feel like we need to dance to anyone else's chin in. order to minors sin

minority government led by an american conservative with for example the greens and some sort of agreement with the social democrats or not case by case basis for example in europe there's now even discussions of the possibility of joining another form of coalition for example also with the greens on the conservatives so it's not only about the possibility of a grand coalition at the moment the possibility of joining a grand coalition is one that at least within the party base and among the members is not very favored because they see that rather as a problem and not necessarily as something that would benefit them so everything is still on the table right now or perhaps better up in the air and no one knows the party isn't even super united listen to what karl lauterbach a leading member of the s.p.d. is saying right now. we're not too little if nothing else is possible of course we have to think about a grand coalition. but we need to talk about content. a grand coalition. if the social democrats did enter negotiations are they going to be in any position to make demands well to a certain extent yes because they

the greens and the social democrats in the coming days in an attempt to avoid being forced to call anap election. chancellor merkel has said she would prefefer to leadingng upp minority goverernment. a minoritity government is not in my plans. now we must wait and see for the next few days. in a s stable c cntry the path f the minority government is certainly one e you want to thik about very carefully. today i don't want to say nevevr but i am very skeptical and believe that new elections would be the best outcome. our berlin correspondent explains what lies behind the current political crisis in germany. is not so muchm that they don't see eye to eye on key issues. the clash of personalitities wih e leaders s of these political parties and a growing sense of resentment between them. angela merkel has formed coalition governments with parties s whose ideas weweren't necessarily her own. merkekel's problem is that rightly or wrongly she hasas a reputation as chancellor for formrming a coalitition with a y and thenen overshadowing i it ad appropriatining its best ideas. the liberal pa

just hours after coalition talks with the free democrats in the greens collapsed under merkel was turned down by another coalition suitor this time the social democrats martin schulze saying there would be no return to a grand coalition if. on september the twenty fourth the grand coalition lost fourteen percent so it's clear we were shown the red card in view of the election results we are not available to join a grand coalition with that off the table one other option available to angela merkel would be to rule over a minority government most likely with the green party. but a minority government. would be unstable at best and would certainly require horse trading on gargantuan proportions with the other four parties in parliament if the government was to well pass anything more than just time in the chamber it's also worth noting that this would be a first in modern german history and wouldn't exactly fit the profile of the german voters who do live in presidency has executive power instability germany is faced the russian embassy in france is dead. from a budget as i'm going to many in the british capital human rights associate plan to

has decided now that coalition talks with the pro-business free democrats and the greens have collapsed to try and build a stable german government with the social democrats that i think it may be all the parties are asking themselves what is important for the people who put the capacity to act on a european scale in foreign policy and when it comes to solving problems. merkel's new wish is another grand coalition with the social democrats s.p.d. party chairman martin shultz is a little more careful as he approaches these negotiations it might work out but it might not anything could happen. it is possible that germany ends up with a constellation of governing partners that have never before worked together in a coalition we should not be afraid of this this could mean tolerating a minority collision led by merkel or possibly a grand coalition it's up to the german president foreign father steinmeyer to explore the options of how the government building process will continue now that merkel and schultz have each held talks with steinmeier the next step is for all three to meet this will happen on thursday in bellevue council and after that the t

even the would be governing green party thinks the social democrats should not refuse in spite of everything. that i probably won't work to their advantage to enter into a grand coalition again that's the dilemma but this general refusal to negotiate is unacceptable. as chief martin schultz has probably started to reconsider suddenly he is reported to have said that the s.p.d. will put the country's interests ahead of its own shorts is due to meet president on thursday. or for more let's cross over to day to be a political correspondent who's standing by at a parliamentary studios hons there's pretty leadership initially ruled out another coalition with michael's conservatives but could they end up changing their minds. yes it looks as though the stonewalling is starting to crumble if one or more and can mix one's made to first like that for instance we have a quote from one speedy social democratic parliamentarian your hundred costs let's listen to that quickly i think the social democrats should reconsider what the president said that all parties have the duty to talk with each other befor

other option was the jamaica coalition that includes angler merkel's christian democratic union the christian social union from the from bavaria this is the party as well as the greens and the free democrats called the jamaica coalition because the colors of the parties make up the colors of the flag of the caribbean nation now those talks of broken down that's off the table it seems as well now well certainly off the table and not something that led to angela merkel expressing great regret but. it is at least a day of deep reflection on how to go forward in germany but i will do after some possible as transitional chancellor to assure that this country will do well that through this difficult works i regret deeply with all respect to the ad d.p. that if we couldn't find a common solution. so what is next for germany. well next angela merkel will be meeting with the german president frank fall to steinmeyer at some point on monday i've heard a few whispers that it may be around lunchtime the president of germany has a key role in forming a government here it's usually well it's usually a foregone conclusion he just puts a rubber stamp on it and puts it this way now

the greens. they could form partnerships with the social democrats on a case-by-case basis. that is s one option if the optn of a minority governmenent is nt successful and there is no coalition. we m may have fresh elections in germany but it is a possibility german leaders want to a avoid because it would mean sendndin's responsibility back to the voters. sarah: a lot at stake in germany. that was thomas outside the social democrat headquarters. thank you for reporting. here's a look at some of the other stories making news. police in papua new guinea have removed dozens of refugees from an immigration camp. the camp hadad been used to houe the refugees trying to get to australia and it had been closed. migrants fear for their safety. political rivals five hot and hamas -- fatah and hamas agreed on some things at the meeting but they say little else was accomplished. former o olympics national team doctor has pled guilty. hhe could spend 25 years in prison. conservationist in china have released two pandas bred in captivity into a natuture reservation. these two pandas wer

leading politicians have been summoned chancellor angela merkel the head of the social democrats martin shorts and members of the greens and the f.d.p. . steinmeier has to set aside any residual loyalties to his former party the social democrats instead he has to draw on his experience as foreign minister and play the diplomat today he has to leaders of the former grand coalition to work out whether a new grand coalition could be viable to be tied to the parties in question know each other but i don't know whether they always appreciate each other at least this way they'll have a chance to share their reservations also how prepared they are to form a coalition again. couldn't. the presidential palace as a base for exploratory talks. are still has a lot of work to do as chief mediator. so where are those talks headed we're joined now by our political correspondent chris first brigade morning christopher what or what can we expect of these talks there well it's the first time of course that the leaders of a prospective grand coalition sitting together at the same table a grand coalition between chancellor merkel's conser

the green party. which when the conservative alliance and the social democrats these uncertain times the collapsed coalition talks loom large over the bundestag oh out of frustration there needs to be understanding for this difficult balancing act which means everyone who bears political responsibility should shift away if only partially from their election plant friends for a compromise that would benefit the majority this is neither a failing or a weakness but the parties he referred to the business friendly f.t.p. and the social democrats through the plane at each other. don't listen i think you should be very quiet today you don't take any responsibility for having long planned your excess and then you put on such a show that question irv. three years ago who could barely wait for election results so that you could cowardly throw in the towel you have a cheek to blame us for anything. the most miserable often uncertainty has arisen in a country used to stability when the acting defense minister emphasized that has long been regarded as a given. germany stands for reliability ladies and gentleman applaus

has already the social democrats have already declined this option then the main options now are a minority government led by michael with the c.d.u. probably with the green party where they have to basically get votes or decide on policies and last vote by vote in the bonus tax propped up by the social democrats on occasion the fourth option are indeed next elections which would happen most likely around spring so to update our viewers we have actually gotten the announcement that the social democrats have said they will not enter a coalition government with the chancellor and that means as you said she's left with those other options and none of them are particularly popular now for democrats that actually broke up this coalition talk they're about to hold a press conference and let's just listen to what they have to say. you know. you. just got to. you know i would be done with a minor no thank you very much just me one of the others here in a museum here with you know god knows more than the gave me the flaw. lies in turn around. and it's forced on them they really are. a parliamentary group. here. the board of the party we assessed the expertise to t

even the would be governing green party thinks the social democrats should not refuse in spite of everything. probably won't work to their advantage to enter into a grand coalition again that's the dilemma but this general refusal to negotiate is unacceptable. s.p.d. chief martin shultz has probably started to reconsider suddenly he is reported to have said that the s.p.d. will put the country's interests ahead of its own shorts is due to meet president on thursday. and for more on all of this i'm joined here in the studio by political analysts christopher and u.n. thank you so much for joining us from violence for university but before we get started with our conversation i first want to play something for you and for our viewers and then get your reaction there after because you had a scars from the s.p.d. i was asked if his party leader was right to rule out joining a coalition government and this is what he set i think the social democrats sort reconsider what they would have president said that all parties have the duty to talk with each other before they go into another election and th

reporter: even the would-be governing green party thinks the social democrats should not refuse, in spiteeverything. >> it probably won't work to their advantage to enter into a grand coalition again. that's the dilemma. but this general refusal to negotiate is unacceptable. reporter: spd chief martin schulz has probably started to reconsider. suddenly, he is reported to have said that the spd will put the country's interests ahead of its own. schulz is due to meet president steinmeyer on thursday. sarah: to turkey now, where the trial of 11 human rights activists on terrorism-related charges resumed today in istanbul. among the defendants is taner kilic, the chairman of amnesty of amnesty international in turkey. taner is still behind bars. eight other activists including german national peter steudtner were released on bail last month. all of them deny the charges against them. our correspondent julia hahn has this report from istanbul. julia: their supporters came to make a point. this banner says justice for rights defenders. it's a reference to the 11 activists on trial. >> today, ma

even the would be governing green party thinks the social democrats should not refuse in spite of everything. probably won't work to their advantage to enter into a grand coalition again that's the dilemma but this general refusal to negotiate is unacceptable. s.p.d. chief martin shultz has probably started to reconsider suddenly he is reported to have said that the s.p.d. will put the country's interests ahead of its own shorts is due to meet president on thursday a dramatic footage has emerged of a north korean soldiers defection the pictures show him racing across the border under fire from former comrades now the soldier is now recovering in a south korean hospital. this is one of the most heavily guarded places on earth and this is a north korean soldier about to make the most dangerous and dating decision of his life to defect to the south. he career's passed a north korean checkpoint his comrades raise the alarm and give chase. over the bridge of no return the driver is within touching distance of freedom. regime soldiers make one last bed to catch him. just metres from the white dema

new coalition with the center left social democrats led by martin schultz that's after talks to form a government with the green zone pro-business free democrats collapsed. a breakthrough in the e.u. is weak case it finally gives the green light to the contentious chemical blithely say but it's a compromise that won't please farmers all environmentally. coming up a boost for bitcoin the cryptocurrency cracks another record high but is a bubble about. and a verdict in the trial of. his children the collapse of his drugstore chain cost thousands of german jobs has a cost his family. this is your business update i'm headed on frame by ed thanks for joining me you can trees voted to extend the license of the controversial weed killer a good life for sate in brussels on monday but it was a tight vote germany surprisingly voted in favor despite environmental concerns the country social democrat dep environment minister accused the conservatives of going against her wishes though saying germany should have abstained and the states have been arguing about the weed killer for years. protesters were out early this mornin