A party ally says Chancellor Scholz would be open to talks with Friedrich Merz on when to move towards new elections, but only after dealing with urgent business in parliament. Merz earlier said this wasn't acceptable.

The meeting between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and opposition leader Friedrich Merz concluded without a resolution. They disagree on when to hold a confidence vote, as Germany braces for potential snap elections following the collapse of Scholz's coalition government.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday demanded a calm debate from Germany's squabbling factions on setting the date for a snap election to pull the country out of a political crisis. Speaking to reporters in Budapest,