Talks on forming a coalition government in Germany have collapsed, leaving Angela Merkel facing her biggest challenge in 12 years as chancellor.

The free-market liberal FDP pulled out after four weeks of talks with Mrs Merkel's CDU/CSU bloc and the Greens.


FDP leader Christian Lindner said there was "no basis of trust" between them.


What happens next is unclear, but Mrs Merkel has met President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who has the power to call elections.


Mrs Merkel said she regretted the collapse, adding she would formally tell the German president that negotiations had failed.
CDU deputy chairman Armin Laschet told journalists that Mrs Merkel had held a conference call on Monday morning with the party leadership and had retained its support.


Mrs Merkel's bloc won September's poll, but many voters deserted the mainstream parties.


"As chancellor, I will do everything to ensure that this country is well managed in the difficult weeks to come," she said.





BBC       News.