BERLIN (AP) — The party that narrowly beat outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s bloc is pushing for a quick agreement on a coalition government amid concerns that Europe’s biggest economy could be in for weeks of uncertainty after an election that failed to set a clear direction. Olaf Scholz of the center-left Social Democrats called for Merkel’s center-right Union bloc to go into opposition on Monday. Both sides finished with well under 30% of the vote, and that appeared to put the keys to power in the hands of two opposition parties. The unclear result combined with an upcoming French presidential election create uncertainty at the center of the EU. It comes as the bloc faces a resurgent Russia and increasing questions about its future from populist leaders in eastern countries.
After close vote, Germany on tricky path to form government
