Election: Merkel launches coalition talks

Immigration is expected to feature as German Chancellor Angela Merkel holds talks on forming a coalition after her party’s disappointing performance in September’s election. Talks start with the CSU, the sister party of her Christian Democrats. The CSU has called for a cap on refugee numbers, blaming Mrs Merkel’s “open-door” policy for the success of […]

Immigration is expected to feature as German Chancellor Angela Merkel holds talks on forming a coalition after her party’s disappointing performance in September’s election.

Talks start with the CSU, the sister party of her Christian Democrats.

The CSU has called for a cap on refugee numbers, blaming Mrs Merkel’s “open-door” policy for the success of the nationalist AfD in the election.

The AfD entered parliament for the first time, with 12.6% of the vote.

It is increasingly seen as far-right in tone with the focus on immigration and Islam.

The Christian Democrats (CDU) and CSU, or Christian Social Union, are hoping to sort out their policy programme before they can begin talks with other parties.