国际英语资讯:Merkel rejects snap elections after failed govt coalition talks

BERLIN, Nov. 25 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday rejected new elections and wanted to form a new government quickly, as a consequence of the failed government coalition talks with the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Greens.

"The people have voted, and I absolutely do not favor, if we can't do anything with the result, asking people to vote again," Merkel said at a party conference of her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Kuehlungsborn, northeast Germany, according to Focus Online.

Merkel is facing the most serious political crisis since she assumed office 12 years ago after the breakdown of the government coalition exploratory talks on Nov. 19.

The FDP decided to withdraw the talks with the Greens, the CDU and the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU), for a new coalition government after the Sept. 24 federal elections. The situation is uNPRecedented after the WWII and snap elections are the last resort if the new government cannot be formed.

Merkel told the party conference that she wants to "come quickly to a government", adding that Germany must have a stable government, "but also a government that really advances the country".

The CDU leader also said talks with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) would have to be conducted on the basis of mutual respect, and the compromise is part of it.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has invited Merkel, SPD leader Martin Schulz and CSU leader Horst Seehofer for a meeting next week to discuss another "Grand Coalition".

The SPD has repeatedly rejected to joint hands with the Union after its landslide failure in the federal elections. However, Schulz softened the stance on Friday as he said his party was willing to hold talks with the Union.