Social Democrat chief Sigmar Gabriel is on a major charm offensive, racing across the country to win over sceptics to the plan for a coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) is turning against the idea of a “grand coalition” with Chancellor Angela Merkel. Two of the three potential chancellor candidates said this weekend they would not work with her.
The premier of the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, Peter Harry Carstensen, called a confidence vote after his efforts to dissolve parliament and force early elections failed on Monday.