Germany's Social Democrats refuses new coalition with Merkel after vote drubbing
Germany's Social Democrats said they would go into opposition rather than enter a new coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel's party after they suffered their worst post-war results.
Published: 24th September 2017 09:56 PM | Last Updated: 24th September 2017 09:56 PM | A+A A-
German Chancellor Angela Merkel casts her vote during the parliament election in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. Merkel is widely expected to win a fourth term in office as Germans go to the polls to elect a new parliament. (Kay Nietfeld/dpa via
BERLIN: Germany's Social Democrats said they would go into opposition rather than enter a new coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel's party after they suffered their worst post-war results in Sunday's election.
"We will take on the opposition mandate," said SPD deputy chief Manuela Schwesig after exit polls gave it 20 to 21 percent.
Thomas Oppermann, who leads the SPD in parliament, confirmed that "the place of the SPD is in the opposition".
