Germany's Social Democrats mull talks on backing Merkel govt

BERLIN (AP) — The leader of Germany's center-left Social Democrats sought his party's support Thursday to open talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives on extending their governing coalition, or at least backing a minority government.

Martin Schulz, Merkel's defeated challenger in Germany's Sept. 24 election, had insisted previously that his party would go into opposition after a disastrous result in that vote.

He also refused to join a new coalition after Merkel's talks with two smaller parties collapsed last month. But President Frank-Walter Steinmeier made clear he doesn't want a new election and Schulz has reversed course.