Merkel and Schroeder's parties to meet for coalition talks

The two biggest political parties in Germany, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder’s centre-left Social Democrats and conservative challenger Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats, will meet for coalition talks on Thursday, a Social Democratic party official said today.

The two parties between them would have enough votes to form a government, but would have to overcome differences on policy and principles.

An SPD official who declined to be identified confirmed the meeting would take place.