Merkel begins talks with Social Democrats

Berlin

CHANCELLOR Angela Merkel said Germany needs a stable government to tackle "enormous" tasks ahead as she began make-or-break talks to renew her alliance with the Social Democrats and open the door to a fourth term.

More than three months of post-election stalemate in Europe's biggest economy are focusing minds as Mrs Merkel, 63, seeks to avoid facing voters again or governing without a majority. The acting chancellor's Christian Democratic Union-led bloc and the SPD began exploratory talks on Sunday amid a growing sense that their political futures are at stake.