Scholz Opens Path to German Chancellor as Full Talks Get Going

FDP’s Lindner sees ‘chances, but we also see challenges’
Party votes unanimously to enter talks, following Greens

From left, Robert Habeck, Annalena Baerbock, Olaf Scholz and Christian Lindner after exploratory coalition talks in Berlin, on Oct. 15.Photographer: Liesa Johannssen-Koppitz/Bloomberg

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By Patrick Donahue

October 18, 2021 at 8:22 AM UTC

Updated on

October 18, 2021 at 2:56 PM UTC

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Social Democrat Olaf Scholz opened a new phase in his bid to succeed Angela Merkel as German chancellor after the pro-business Free Democrats approved comprehensive coalition talks.