Coalition talks to form new government in Germany officially begin

By Cuneyt Karadag and Serdar Dincel

BERLIN/ISTANBUL (AA) - Coalition talks between the Christian Union parties (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) to form a new government in Germany have officially begun, according to local media.

Delegations from the Christian Democratic Union Party (CDU), the Christian Social Union Party (CSU), and the SPD met in Berlin on Thursday, Der Spiegel reported.

The working groups, each consisting of 16 members, have until March 24 to draft a coalition agreement.

Tough negotiations are also expected between the parties on migration, budget, tax, and defense issues.

The CDU/CSU and SPD leaders have reportedly imposed strict rules on the members of the working groups to prevent leaks during the negotiations.

The final reports of the working groups will be presented to the party leaders.

If a coalition agreement is drafted, it will have to be approved by the relevant committees of the three parties. The SPD also wants its members to approve the agreement.