Merkel confident about forming new gov't with SPD

BERLIN, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Angela Merkel expressed confidence on Monday about the prospects of forming a new federal government with the German Social Democrats (SPD).

"I am entering the upcoming talks with the Social Democrats with confidence and widespread support," Merkel told press.

The veteran Chancellor reiterated her preference for a legislative alliance with the SPD after the dramatic collapse of "Jamaica" coalition negotiations, ruling out the possibility of returning to power with a minority government.

Merkel admitted that there were significant differences in the worldviews of the SPD and CDU, but emphasized that there were also "multiple points of overlap" between the two parties.

The SPD voted to enter into exploratory talks for the formation of a new government coalition with Merkel's Conservatives Union last week, clearing a major obstacle on the path to a renewed grand-coalition.

Nevertheless, the SPD and CDU have already become embroiled in a series of policy disputes even before the start of talks.

Several leading politicians from the CDU and its Christian Social Union (CSU) sister party have attacked SPD leader Martin Schulz for his calls to establish a United States of Europe by 2025, and automatically exclude all current European Union (EU) member states who fail to sign a corresponding constitutional treaty.

Former Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), described Schulz as a "Europe radical", while CDU/CSU parliamentary faction leader Volker Kauder warned that the proposals were a "danger for the EU."

Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen (CDU) told the public broadcaster "ZDF" that she considered Schulz' vision of a future Europe to be "excellent" and "important", but added that it was only realistic for "the generation of my grandchildren."

The CDU, CSU and SPD are scheduled to hold first talks on Wednesday to identify common legislative ground. Meanwhile, the CDU has publicly urged the SPD not to delay the formation of another "Grand Coalition".

CDU deputy leader Julia Kloeckner accused the SPD of employing a "tactic of attrition" after SPD secretary general Lars Klingenbeil speculated that talks could last until May.

SPD representatives, in turn, rejected claims that they were slowing down coalition talks, and noted that the party had formulated a long list of conditions which needed to be met before it could countenance forming another government with the CDU and CSU.

A recent poll conducted by the Forsa institute found that 71 percent of Germans wanted to see swift coalition negotiations between the CDU, CSU and SPD. Enditem