Chancellor Angela Merkel: "Opposition should be treated well"

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Chancellor Angela Merkel with Greifswald's Lord Mayor Stefan Fassbinder (Greens) at the city reception

Photo: Stefan Sauer / dpa

The outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) has spoken out in favor of dealing well with non-ruling parties.

"Even the opposition should be treated well because it can always be the government of tomorrow," said Merkel at an event in her previous constituency in Greifswald.

You experience that in some places now, but it also turns out differently, she said and caused laughter in the audience.

The SPD, Greens and FDP want to start coalition negotiations on Thursday afternoon to form a joint federal government.

In the event of such a government, the Union would go into opposition after a long time.

"You can't work together enough in politics," said Merkel, also referring to the cooperation between municipalities, states and the federal government.

Merkel did not run in the previous general election.

Her successor as a member of the Bundestag with direct mandate, Anna Kassautzki (SPD), also took part in the event.

SPD party leader Norbert Walter-Borjans has confirmed that coalition negotiations will begin on Thursday.

"The day after tomorrow we will meet for the first time in a large group," says Walter-Borjans in a video conference with SPD supporters.

Intensive discussions will then take place in 22 working groups, presumably from Monday.

"There are 96 people from each party involved," adds Walter-Borjans.

kfr / dpa / Reuters