Several German dailies say the decision by the leader of the Social Democratic Party, Franz Muentefering, not to seek re-election as head of the party following the defeat of his favoured candidate in a vote to elect a new party general-secretary raises the possibility of fresh elections.
Die Welt says talks between the SPD and the CDU/ CSU on establishing a coalition government have been plunged into crisis.
"Anything seems possible, including fresh elections, which none of the big parties wants," it says.
The paper sees the development as a "sharp shift to the left" which could lead to the party rejecting any coalition deal regarded as too "liberal".
"The SPD has become the big unknown quantity in the coalition poker game," it says.
The Sueddeutsche Zeitung says the SPD has been plunged into a "serious crisis".
It describes Mr Muentefering as a leader who enjoyed the trust of the rank and file "like nobody else before him in recent times" but adds that his party was unhappy about his domineering role in the coalition talks.
The paper adds that the leader of the Christian Democratic Union, Chancellor-designate Angela Merkel, also finds herself in a difficult position.
"She is putting together a coalition whose future has become extremely uncertain after today's events," it says.
But the Berliner Zeitung believes that the talks on "a grand coalition" are still on track, adding that neither the Social Democrats nor the CDU/CSU see any other solution.
"The negotiations are proceeding as planned, Muentefering's resignation has nothing to do with Angela Merkel or the CDU/CSU and nothing to do with disagreements over policy," it believes.
I doubt many people would miss it.
Steve (as 41oo) wrote:How long can Germany have no government?
A month, according to the constitution.
Article 63 [Election and appointment of the Federal Chancellor]
(1) The Federal Chancellor shall be elected by the Bundestag without debate on the proposal of the Federal President.
(2) The person who receives the votes of a majority of the Members of the Bundestag shall be elected. The person elected shall be appointed by the Federal President.
(3) If the person proposed by the Federal President is not elected, the Bundestag may elect a Federal Chancellor within fourteen days after the ballot by the votes of more than one half of its Members.
(4) If no Federal Chancellor is elected within this period, a new election shall take place without delay, in which the person who receives the largest number of votes shall be elected. If the person elected receives the votes of a majority of the Members of the Bundestag, the Federal President must appoint him within seven days after the election. If the person elected does not receive such a majority, then within seven days the Federal President shall either appoint him or dissolve the Bundestag.
Article 39 [Convening and legislative term]
[(1) ...]
(2) The Bundestag shall convene no later than the thirtieth day after the elections are held.
