Exploratory talks for German new gov't to start on Jan. 7

BERLIN, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- The exploratory talks between the Social Democrats and the Conservatives Union for a new government in Germany will start on Jan. 7, according to local media.

Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader Martin Schulz said on Dec. 15 that the talks would begin at the end of January in an open and constructively manner.

The SPD decided to start open-ended talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU/CSU bloc that would lead to three options -- grand coalition, acceptance of a Union-led minority government, or snap elections if government formation fails.

Schulz had said he would meet Merkel and other CDU and SPD leaders before Christmas to discuss the form the talks would take. Enditem