German Social Democrats upbeat over coalition talks as conservatives regroup

Green Party member Annalena Baerbock arrives for exploratory talks to build a new German government coalition, in Berlin, Germany, October 7, 2021. REUTERS/Michele Tantussi

BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) and potential partners said initial coalition talks had gone well on Thursday, as the leader of the conservative bloc seeking to stay in office hinted he might resign after a poor election showing.

The centre-left SPD narrowly beat the conservatives, whose outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel has governed since 2005, in the Sept. 26 federal ballot, but without winning a majority.