2nd LD Writethru: German SPD denies approval for grand coalition talks, but keeps options open

BERLIN, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader Martin Schulz on Friday denied an earlier report that his party was ready to start grand coalition talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Conservatives Union, but kept the options open.

The message is "simply wrong," said Martin Schulz at a press conference at the SPD headquarter. "We have many options."

However, Schulz did not slam the door for a renewed SPD-Union partnership, saying the SPD leadership was keeping its options open.

The SPD executive will debate all options, a minority government or a grand coalition again with the Union. A resolution should then be formed at the party congress in the coming week.

German daily Bild reported earlier on Friday that SPD and the Union, comprised of Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party Christian Social Union (CSU), has agreed to enter exploratory talks for a renewed coalition talks after the one since the 2013 federal elections.

Germany's new government is still in vacancy after the Sept. 24 federal elections and the exploratory talks between the Union, the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Greens broke down on the night of Nov. 19.

Schulz, Merkel and CSU leader Horst Seehofer on Thursday night held a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is trying his best to make Germany avoid snap elections -- an occurrence if no new government can be formed.

The CDU board had agreed that the party was ready to conduct "serious talks" with the SPD on the formation of a government. It is important to wait and see how the SPD positions itself.

After the party convention of the SPD in the coming week, the CDU will discuss the way forward, according to Klaus Schueler, federal manager of the CDU. Enditem