German government talks collapse; Merkel seeks to reassure

[DFW]

14. If new elections are held

I think the FDP sinks like a stone, the SPD and "Linken" stay static, and the Greens end up the big winners, with Merkel benefiting too. It's not a sure thing, but the next government could well end up being a CDU/CSU-Greens coalition. They have a lot more in common than the FDP realized. They are willing to compromise on economic and refugee issues and have much more in common on environmental issues now that Merkel is committed to eliminating nuclear power and boosting renewables. They are willing to work with each other where the FDP was not. Half of the FDP prominence is already coming out saying "WTF was our leadership thinking?" Of course, the SPD was saying the same thing after the election, but they haven't sent Schultz packing yet, much as he deserves it. With a little luck, the AfD will lose a point or two, and give the impression (who cares until the next election if it's real?) that they have already peaked.