News is fluid this is what was reported.....>

GERMANY: News is fluid this is what was reported last night.

- SPD General Secretary, Hubertus Heil underlined the Party's willingness to

talk to resolve the government crisis following 8 hours of talks last night.

- The Handelsblatt reports that "voices are growing that the Party should enter

into an alliance with CDU/CSU, if necessary".

- Handelsblatt reported that on TV channel ZDF, the Justice Minister (SPD) Maas

said "Nobody advised Martin Schulz to resign in this round, nobody suggested

themselves as a candidate for the party congress, and Martin Schulz did not

offer his resignation."

- The ball is now back with German President Steinmeier who will convene a

meeting of Party Presidents in the coming week. Additionally, in two weeks time

the SPD will hold a Party convention, which may precipitate action.