[As for Schröder and Merkel, they did nothing publicly together Thursday during what was called a first round of] exploratory talks for a grand coalition. ... differences of opinion between the two sides were clear. |
[Because the Christian Democrats finished first, they will get the first crack at putting together a new government in negotiations with other parties, a process that could take days or even weeks.] We had hoped for a better result, ... The campaign is over, and now we need to create a stable government for the people of Germany. This is our mandate. |
[Both parties yesterday described the talks as] fruitful and serious ... I was pleasantly surprised that we were able to discuss the matters at hand, only ten days after such a campaign. |
[But Mrs. Merkel rallied, in part because the barons inside her party and its sister party in Bavaria, the Christian Social Union, announced their unqualified support of her, and in part because she showed the quiet determination that enabled her to rise to the top in the male-dominated world of German politics in the first place.] This new start and coalition offer us new opportunities, ... We are obliged to achieve success. We have to succeed. |
[Christian Democrats held out hope for a Merkel-led alliance of the two main parties.] I do not rule out anybody revising their position, ... we are not playing for time. |
[Germany needs] new policies - and those can only be policies that the CDU has a significant hand in forming, ... When the polling stations close in Dresden, I am certain that the chancellor will gradually see that, too. |
[Social Democrats, however, have not excluded joining a] grand coalition ... I am campaigning for a government of Christian Democrats and Free Democrats. |
[Speaking in Berlin at a women's conference called] Courage to take Power, ... It is interesting that a woman who has seven children has too many and another who does not have any does not have enough. |
[The presumed chancellor did not elaborate on foreign policy, but indicated she would strengthen relations with the United States, which have been strained over German opposition to the Iraq war.] That doesn't mean we have to agree on every issue, ... But there needs to be a good trustful relationship. |
[With few options but to start negotiations with Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's Social Democrats in order to form a] grand coalition, ... to start coalition talks as soon as possible and to form a stable government. |
a failure in Iraq will be a catastrophe maybe even more for Europe than the United States. |
A grand coalition is the only responsible option. |
A grand coalition would put us in a very difficult situation. |
A person who doesn't have the support of his own party can't put Germany on the right path. |
a recognition from them (the SPD) that the conservatives are the top party and have responsibility for naming the chancellor. |