German election winner Olaf Scholz moved a step closer to the chancellorship on Wednesday as two smaller parties agreed to start coalition talks with his Social Democrats (SPD).
The move by the Greens and Free Democrats (FDP), who emerged as kingmakers at the election, deals a blow to Armin Laschet’s conservatives who came second at the polls but still hoped to build a majority.
It paves the way for three-way negotiations between the SPD, the Greens and the FDP to begin on Thursday – although these could last for months as parties haggle over climate change and other issues.
If they agree on a deal, they will form the first ever “traffic light” coalition at national level, so-called because of the colours of the three parties. Mr Scholz has made it clear that this is his preferred choice.
Mr Scholz and Mr Laschet had both courted the Greens and the pro-business FDP, who held preliminary talks among themselves before approaching the larger parties.
Although hardly natural allies on economic policy, the Greens and FDP both campaigned for change and modernisation, and had strong support from younger voters.
“We have proposed to the FDP that we should jointly approach the SPD … and begin three-way discussions,” said Green co-leader Robert Habeck.
“The discussions over the past week have shown there is the greatest common ground here. That’s especially true in the broad area of social policy.”
Mr Scholz welcomed the step forward in post-election talks. "The citizens gave us a mandate to form a government together," he said. "It's now up to us to implement that."
Shortly after the Greens made their announcement, FDP leader Christian Lindner confirmed he would take up their suggestion to approach Mr Scholz.
Both parties said they were not ruling out future talks with the Union, Mr Laschet’s centre-right bloc, but there will not be any parallel discussions. In a brief statement, Mr Laschet said he respected their decision.
A three-way alliance led by Mr Laschet would have a majority in parliament, but he was politically weakened by losing the election and polls show that more Germans want Mr Scholz as chancellor.
Mr Laschet faces dissent in his own ranks for presiding over the centre-right’s worst result in postwar Germany. Outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel had led the Union to four straight election victories.
“In policy terms we have the greatest overlap with the Union,” Mr Lindner said. “But their unity and willingness to govern is a matter of public debate.”
He said: “The FDP will only join a government of the centre that will strengthen the value of freedom and give a real impetus to the renewal of our country.”
Markus Soeder, the leader of Mr Laschet’s smaller Bavarian allies, said the centre-right bloc was still available for talks. But he said the two kingmakers should not use the threat of turning to the Union as a bargaining chip in their talks with the SPD.
“The traffic light is now clearly the first choice. We accept that,” he said. “The FDP and Greens have made their decision.
“After today, we have to face up to the reality that the Union will most probably not be part of the next government.”
Mrs Merkel will remain in office as a caretaker until a new coalition is formed. Mr Scholz has said he wants this done by Christmas.
Peter Altmaier, a CDU minister under Mrs Merkel, said the party needed to accept the message from voters after it crashed to its worst-ever result.
“The traffic-light train has left the station,” he said. “Now we have to do our own homework and show that we have learnt our lessons.”
The 15 players selected
Muzzamil Afridi, Rahman Gul, Rizwan Haider (Dezo Devils); Shahbaz Ahmed, Suneth Sampath (Glory Gladiators); Waqas Gohar, Jamshaid Butt, Shadab Ahamed (Ganga Fighters); Ali Abid, Ayaz Butt, Ghulam Farid, JD Mahesh Kumara (Hiranni Heros); Inam Faried, Mausif Khan, Ashok Kumar (Texas Titans
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
RESULT
Everton 2 Huddersfield Town 0
Everton: Sigurdsson (47'), Calvert-Lewin (73')
Man of the Match: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Uefa Champions League play-off
First leg: Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Ajax v Dynamo Kiev
Second leg: Tuesday, August 28, 11pm (UAE)
Dynamo Kiev v Ajax
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
MATCH INFO
Day 1 at Mount Maunganui
England 241-4
Denly 74, Stokes 67 not out, De Grandhomme 2-28
New Zealand
Yet to bat
Read more from Johann Chacko
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Results
Stage 7:
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29
2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time
3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious
4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep
5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM
General Classification:
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
HAJJAN
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