23, January 2018

US: Democrats say their senators caved on shutdown ⁰

Democrats, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, are in disarray over their party’s agreement with Senate Republicans to temporarily fund the US government.

Pelosi spoke out against the deal on Monday, saying there was no reason to support it in the House.

“I don’t see that there’s any reason — I’m speaking personally and hearing from my members — to support what was put forth,” Pelosi said at a press briefing.

Democratic Senators with 2020 presidential aspirations also came out against the agreement.

“The majority leader’s comments last night fell far short of the ironclad guarantee I needed to support a stopgap spending bill,” said Senator Kamala Harris. “I refuse to put the lives of nearly 700,000 young people in the hands of someone who has repeatedly gone back on his word. I will do everything in my power to continue to protect Dreamers from deportation.”

Senators Cory Booker, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Kirsten Gillibrand all voted against the temporary government budget bill.

Activists take a harsher stance

Activists took an even harsher tone against the Democrat’s compromise with Senate Republicans.

“It’s official: Chuck Schumer is the worst negotiator in Washington – even worse than Trump,” said Murshed Zaheed, political director at Credo, a progressive advocacy group.

“Today’s cave by Senate Democrats — led by weak-kneed, right-of-center Democrats — is why people don’t believe the Democratic Party stands for anything,” said Stephanie Taylor, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. “These weak Democrats hurt the party brand for everyone and make it harder to elect Democrats everywhere in 2018.”

Senate votes to end government shutdown

Senate Democrats bowed to pressure to reopen the government Monday, joining Republicans in an 81-18 vote on Monday to fund the government through February 8.

Senate Democrats agreed with Republicans to end the government shutdown, after they received a promise from after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to move on immigration bills including support for undocumented immigrants brought to America as children.

“After several discussions, offers and counteroffers, the Republican leader and I have come to an arrangement. We will vote today to reopen the government to continue negotiating a global agreement,” Senate minority leader Charles Schumer, Democrat of New York, said ahead of the vote.

he added that the agreement includes no guarantees for a bill to pass — nor does it tie an immigration bill to a must-pass measure to give Democrats leverage.

The agreement also includes no guarantees that a potential Senate agreement on DACA could see a vote in the House.

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer leaves a meeting with Senate Democrats on a deal with Republicans over temporary government funding, January 22, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by AFP)

The short-term funding bill still needs to pass on a final up-or-down vote, but that is a formality now. The House of Representatives is expected to approve the resolution soon.

The government shutdown, first in five years, went into effect shortly after Friday midnight, when Senate Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an agreement on the stopgap funding measure to continue government services.

The shutdown followed Congress failure to reach a deal on the status of “Dreamers.”

Dreamers are hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants brought into America as children, who were protected from deportation until September 2017, when the Trump administration ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), created by former US President Barack Obama.

Trump said last year that he was ending the DACA program, and gave Congress until March to deliver a legislative fix.

Faced with criticism over the decision, Trump made it clear that he would only accept a DACA deal if Democrats agreed to include funding for his controversial wall on the border with Mexico in the 2018 budget.

Source: Presstv

22, January 2018

Southern Cameroons conflict fuels teenage pregnancy crisis ⁰

HUMANITARIAN organisations are alarmed by the spike in teenage pregnancies amid rape and gender violence in makeshift camps housing thousands of Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria.

Women and children, worst affected by the violence, represent about 80 percent of the approximately 10 000 refugees that have fled a crackdown in English-speaking areas of Cameroon and settled in Nigeria’s Cross River State.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed shock that teenage pregnancies involving girls aged as young as 14, have been reported.

“UNHCR is concerned that many more incidents go unreported or are referred only to community elders,” spokesman William Spindler, said.

Spindler said for women, the lack of work combined with the over-stretched reception facilities, created a higher risk of sexual and gender-based violence, particularly from survival sex.

Unaccompanied and separated children are particularly affected by difficult access to food and the lack of subsistence opportunities.

UNHCR reported numerous incidents where children have to work or beg to survive or to help their families. Many children are unable to attend school, as they lack both the time and funds for education.

English-speaking Cameroon is beset by protests in English-speaking regions. Communities allege marginalisation by the government dominated by French speakers.

A vicious response by government forces has led to scores of deaths and massive displacements. UNHCR is currently working with Nigerian authorities to identify sites away from the border, where refugees can be hosted according to international standards.

– CAJ News

22, January 2018

Cross River State Govt. provides succour to Ambazonian refugees ⁰

The Cross River government on Sunday provided food and non-food items to over 3,000 Southern Cameroonian refugees camping in Ikom local government area of the state. The items included rice, plantain, beans, yam, garri, palm oil, cartons of indomie, toiletries and cooking utensils.

Presenting the items, Gov. Ben Ayade of the state disclosed that the intervention was to give succour for the hardship and displacement experienced by the refugees. Ben Ayade Ayade, who was represented by Dr Mercy Akpama, the Managing Director, Cross River Food Bank Commission, said that his administration places premium on the welfare of residents in the state.

“I am aware of your pains and I am not relenting in my contacts with President Muhammadu Buhari and the international community to know that what is happening to you is not good before God and humanity. There is no greater pain like depriving a people of their ancestral homes and reducing them to wants in body and soul. “This passion has led me to bring food to you and soon I will build camps for you while waiting for my contacts to come to fruition in a bid to see you return to your ancestral homes. “I love you all and urge you to stay in peace with your hosts. Remain patriotic and obey the laws of the land. “I urge you to share these items in love for your suffering will not be for too long,’’ he said. Mr John Inaku, Director General of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, told the refugees that the state governor was passionate about their plight. “We have your brothers and sisters in other locations as well, these items are for those of you in Ikom and I can assure you that the governor will also reach others soon,’’ he said.

Inaku explained that drugs would also be provided soon to take care of the health needs of the refugees. “The governor will come with more things for you. Be law abiding; you are our brothers and sisters and we love you all,’’ he said.

Mr Abia David, Coordinator, Southern Cameroon refugees, lauded the government and people of the state for their concern, noting that the gesture was a sign of true love. “A drop of water to a man who is very thirsty is a welcome development. We are appreciative of this gesture by Cross River state governor and it is a sign that he cares about our wellbeing,’’ he said.

www.vanguardngr.com

22, January 2018

Ambazonia Crisis: Pushing the country to the brink ⁰

After more than one year of an unnecessary tug of war between the Biya government and Anglophone Cameroonians, the country is gradually sliding to the brink, with its economy taking a hit. Scarce resources that could have been put into development projects are today being used to pay huge per diems to soldiers and to settle other expenses just to prosecute a war that could have been averted if the country’s leaders had listened to the international community and fostered dialogue as a tool of choice in the management of a country that comprises people of various cultural backgrounds.

The chaos playing out in the Anglophone regions has now made the country to become a byword for anarchy and chaos. A simple dispute that could have been addressed through frank and sincere discussions was allowed to degenerate due to the government’s arrogance, violence and condescension.

Today, many lives have been lost and the anger has gone up by many notches. The Anglophone minority no longer believes it is part of a country that has marginalized it, killed its people and sent many into exile in countries they never thought they could live in.

There are currently more than 32,000 Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria and many are still thinking of fleeing Nigeria following the arrest and detention of Anglophone leaders in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, some two weeks ago; a situation that has altered the entire equation and made it hard for any reasonable solution to be found to this crisis that spells doom to the Biya regime.

Today, government troops are engaged in running battles with Ambazonian Defense Forces who are determined to inflict as much pain on government troops as possible and though the government has decided not to release figures of fallen soldiers, it is alleged that more than 200 army soldiers have been rushed to an early grave by the determined and feared Ambazonian Defense Forces also known as “Amba Tigers”.

Their hit-and-run tactics have taken a huge toll on the military and news of their success in Manyu Division has been spreading like wild fire across the region. While Manyu has noticed some respite, the fighting has been exported to Meme Division where army soldiers have taken huge casualties. These victories by the Amba Tigers have infuriated the government and they have triggered a wave of revenge in many parts of the South West region of Cameroon.

The soldiers’ retaliatory measures which, in many cases, consist in intimidating the local population and setting houses ablaze like they did last week in Kwa Kwa, a little village less than 50 km from Kumba, the Meme Divisional headquarters. The burning of an entire village resulted in the death of a 96-year-old lady and this has resulted in more revenge attacks, especially in Kombone, Meme Division, where a colonel and two of his colleagues were attacked on Sunday, January 21, 2018, while picking up the remains of their fallen colleagues in an ambulance. It should be recalled that army soldiers have been running amok in Kwa Kwa following the killing of nine of their colleagues by the Amba Tigers who have proven to be experts at hit-and-run tactics.

Instead of winning hearts and minds, government troops are working hard to radicalize the local population which was initially for a federal system of government. But ever since the government opted for violence and repression as its weapons of choice, many Anglophones have gradually migrated from federalism to secession; a movement that has gained a lot of traction in recent months. This is really motivating the young fighters who hold that this is the time to put an end to the Francophone domination and government marginalization that have dogged the country’s English-speaking minority for over 55 years.

With Anglophone leaders still sitting in a luxurious villa in Abuja, the young and determined fighters who have been infuriated by the arrests are continuing to give the government a lot of food for thought. They hold that by using the forest to inflict pain on government troops, the Biya regime that is unpopular at home and abroad will finally sue for peace and call for the genuine and comprehensive dialogue that many around the world have been urging it to embrace.

Speaking to one of the fighters who has recently shown up in Abuja where he has sought asylum, it could be figured out that despite their lack of appropriate weapons, the young fighters are high on courage and determination and this is driving them into achieving many of their objectives.

“We do not have the right weapons. If we had AK-47s, I think we would have successfully exported the fighting into French Cameroon. Cameroon soldiers may be well trained, but they lack the courage and experience to fight in a dense equatorial forest. We have rattled them in the Manyu jungle and this has caused many to flee and desert the army. Some have defected and are helping to organize our efforts. I am sure that in six months’ time, we will be able to bring the government to the negotiating table against its wish,” the young Mamfe fighter who elected anonymity said.

He added that “I am using my asylum case as an excuse. My objective is to ensure that Southern Cameroons becomes independent. I hear our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora are quietly raising funds to get us more sophisticated weapons and once we lay our hands on those killing machines, the government of Cameroon will regret its decision.”

“Many people thought that the arrest of our leaders would dampen our determination. It has only ramped up our desire to inflict more pain on the soldiers who have been killing and maiming our people. The Southern Cameroons crisis is an idea. Our movement is bigger than anyone. It will be hard to kill the idea even if the government arrests the entire North West and South West regions. Every day, there are many young university graduates who are heading to Nigeria to carry weapons against a government that has reduced us to second-class citizens. You can see the joy on their faces. I am also a graduate, but when soldiers came and killed my brother in Mamfe, I knew it was time for me to revenge and I think my brother’s spirit should be happy wherever it is today,” he said.

With such language, it is clear that the days ahead will be rough. Cameroonians want peace, but their leaders have opted for war, a war that is consuming soldiers and civilians in huge numbers. While the country’s economy has taken huge blows, the country’s politics is gradually taking a different shape. New players are joining the race for the Unity Palace scheduled for this year and the news of a single opposition candidate seems to be appealing to many Cameroonians, though it is a nightmare to the government and the ruling CPDM which have for 25 years rigged every election.

Though it seems like the clouds of self-destruction are gradually gathering over Cameroon, many political analysts still hold that there is still time for the government to spare the country an unnecessary bloodbath. The government’s arrogance and violence have pushed the country to the brink. A little introspection on the government’s part might reverse the storm that is gathering over the country. 2018 is the year that will make or mar Cameroon. The choice is the government’s and Mr. Biya, according to many observers, is the only person who can defuse the bomb and pull the country from the brink.

By Kingsley Betek

West Africa Bureau Chief (Abuja, Nigeria)

Cameroon Concord News Group

22, January 2018

Biya orders investigation into PB HEV Computers Scheme ⁰

President Paul Biya has ordered an investigation into what is now called, the business of PB HEV computers. The 84 year old announced a higher education vision two years ago and promised Cameroonian students a computer lap top each for their studies.

Cameroon Concord News has learned that the Yaoundé regime has summoned the boss of the Chinese company that manufactured and delivered the computers for an explanation. Our informant hinted that there is strong evidence of misappropriation of public funds, weighing on Jacques Fame Ndongo, the Minister of Higher Education and his entourage, who traveled to China to fulfill the promise of the head of the State.

The investigation is also targeting the role of some highly placed government stakeholders in the computer acquisition process. The cost of the transaction was 150 billion FCFA, or 300,000 FCFA per computer. However, Cameroon experts now say instead of computers, students received notebooks and have been auctioning them on the local market for 50,000 and 75,000 FCFA, that is to say, 4 times cheaper than the price budgeted by the Biya regime.

IT students found out that the hard disks have a capacity of 32 instead of 500 GB. Atsa Etoundi, Director of Computer Systems at the Ministry of Higher Education has been all over the place attempting a justification that “32 GB = 500 GB is a new technology”. Many Cameroonian computer experts have raised a finger against Mr. Etoundi.

The Biya computer affair has been painted in Yaoundé as a massive embezzlement scheme in which several members of the government are involved. Jacques Fame Ndongo is considered one of the pillars of the CPDM crime syndicate. He is sometimes presented as the chairman of President Biya’s speech committee. With a head of state, who intends to hold on to power in a full election year and committed to win back students, there are indications Biya will part ways with Minister Fame Ndongo.

By Rita Akana

22, January 2018

Calabar: Over 10, 000 Ambazonian Refugees Registered in Cross River State ⁰

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced that over 10,000 refugees from Cameroon have been registered in various communities in Cross River State in South-south Nigeria.

The Assistant Representative in charge of Operations for UNHCR in Abuja, Mr. Bamba Boubacar, made the announcement in Calabar, the state capital, at the weekend while donating a field Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) to the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) in Calabar to facilitate the registration of refugees seeking asylum in Nigeria.

“We have registered, so far, 10,400 Cameroonian refugees in Cross River and the registration is continuing. We have been informed that there are people not registered in various areas. But, until we complete the registration, we would not be able to give an accurate figure.

“We have people from other countries, and also Nigerians who were established in Cameroon coming back. They cannot be registered as refugees. So, we need to be cautious and register before providing a figure.

“Today we are providing this additional support to NCFRMI in Calabar because we have an influx of Cameroonian refugees in this area. This entry was not foreseen and the capacity on the ground was not up to provide a better response to this crisis and as partners of NCFRMI in the protection of refugees, we are providing this support because as you know the refugees are scattered across vast areas in Cross River State, and to register them, the team has to move from one place to the other. And so far, there are a limited number of vehicles. So, this additional vehicle will help to speed up the registration process so that the asylum seekers would be registered on time, and having at least a proof of registration as asylums seekers. This would be helpful for their protection when they are moving. They would provide this document to security officials so they will know that they are asylums seekers, and they have been registered. The vehicle is a four by four SUV for rugged terrain, with sitting capacity for seven persons, equipped with communications facilities.

“UNHCR is working closely with government to improve their protection to ensure the people have documentation so they will not be harassed or arrested by authorities for lack of documentation. We would continue to work with the NCFRMI, and the state authorities to improve the security and protection of asylum seekers and refugees.

“Before we provided this vehicle, we have already started to provide assistance to the refugees, and I am happy that you are concerned about food. We have provided water, food, items, mattresses, blankets and also shelter kits and so on. We are providing much broader assistance to the people,” Boubacar said.

Boubacar said the UNHCR was planning to establish as office in Calabar, and additional two field offices in other parts of Cross River State.

Also speaking at the event, Head, Refugee Status Determination Unit, NCFRMI, Mr. Murdakai Titus, said they were grateful to the UNHCR for donating the vehicle.

“On behalf of the Federal Commissioner, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, the management and entire staff of NCFRMI, I would like to express our profound appreciation to the office of the UNHCR in Nigeria led by Mr. Antonio Jose Canhandula, for this great gesture. It is indeed an exemplary demonstration of partnership in action, which has long been in existence since the establishment of the commission in 1989.

“The gift of this vehicle is made timely when the South-south zone is witnessing unimaginable influx of persons of concern from our neighbouring country Cameroon and more are still arriving. It will certainly facilitate our collective humanitarian response in the South-south zone. Hence, the need for such gesture cannot be overemphasised. We look forward to a better collaborative relationship in Nigeria,” Titus said.

Source: ThisDay

22, January 2018

German chancellor prepares for intense coalition talks after SPD gives go ahead ⁰

Germany’s center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) has voted in favor of coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc, paving the way for Europe’s top economy to work for the formation of a new government following months of political impasse.

The SPD, which had initially ruled out governing with Merkel in charge again, narrowly voted for coalition negotiations with her center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) on Sunday.

Out of the SPD’s 642 delegates, 372 said ‘Yes’ to talks with the CDU during a special party congress in Bonn.

SPD leader Martin Schulz and the leader of Merkel’s Bavarian allies, Horst Seehofer, are scheduled to meet on Monday, but the full formal talks may start as early as Tuesday or Wednesday.

Schulz, possibly the next foreign minister, tweeted on Sunday that the vote for coalition talks handed him a “duty to fight for all those who had voted against. Let us now concretely improve the lives of people in the country.”

The CDU also expressed satisfaction with the vote, with Saxony Minister President Michael Kretschmer, a CDU member, saying the result “is an approval but it is also clearly showing the disunity of the SPD.”

The coalition talks will likely see Merkel return to power again after the chancellor’s CDU suffered heavy losses to the far-right in last September’s inconclusive election, making her unable to form a government with the Bavarian ally, the Christian Social Union (CSU).

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C), leader of the conservative CDU party, Horst Seehofer (L), leader of the CDU’s Bavarian CSU sister party, and Martin Schulz (R), leader of Germany’s social democratic SPD party, pose after a press conference on January 12, 2018 in Berlin. (Photo by AFP)

The chancellor was further weakened by the collapse in November of three-way coalition talks with other parties.

She now wants the SPD to agree to a re-run of the “grand coalition” between the two biggest parties that has ruled the nation since 2013. The coalition talks, for now, saved Merkl from risking her position by calling for snap elections.

The chancellor, however, is still far from a done deal. Many Social Democrats still blame her for a poor election result in September and there are many inside the party are opposed to another four years of her chancellorship.

A possible SPD/CDU agreement will form a new German government, but failure in coalition talks would likely put the European Union’s most powerful economy on the path towards repeat elections, which would also put the political future of Merkel to question.

Source: Presstv

22, January 2018

Angola penalty send La Republique packing ⁰

Angola captain Ricardo Job converted a penalty on the half hour to eliminate Cameroon 1-0 in a breath-taking Group D clash in Agadir on Saturday.

The Indomitable Lions suffered their second defeat of the tournament after losing to Congo by the same margin in the opening game of the group, and sends them crashing out of the tournament.

Rigobert Song’s team started on a bright note with counter attacks on the right with full back Thomas Bawak making runs and crosses which the Angolans dealt with.

However, it was Angola who had the first sight of goal. Paty managed to find space just midway through the Cameroon half before lining up a fierce shot which Cameroon keeper Jean Oscar Kalati parried away on 18 minutes.

Cameroon replied with an attack of their own three minutes later, winger Patrick Moukoko cutting in from the left to set up Junior Bitang who could not keep his effort on target.

Angola opened the Cameroon defence and won a penalty on 28 minutes after a clumsy challenge by Bertrand Owundi on Vladimir Va for a penalty and captain Ricardo Job hammered home what turned out to be the only goal of the match.

The Indomitable Lions continued to mount pressure on the Angola defence who were composed and strong.

Cameroon keeper Kalati pulled one the best saves of the tournament on 52 minutes diving to his right to deny Herenilson’s pinpoint header inside the six yard area.

Minutes later, midfielder Willy Namedji saw his clever turn shot inside the area blocked when it was destined for the Angola net. Defender Alphonse Tientcheu also smashed a lose ball outside the box on target but was denied by Landu Mavanga.

Va missed a good opportunity to extend Angola’s lead three minutes from time tapping Augusto Quibeto’s cross off target. The win places Angola at the top of Group D with 4 points one more than Congo who play Burkina Faso later.

Total Man of the Match: Vladimir Felix (Angola)

Reactions

Srdan Vasiljevic (Head Coach, Angola)

I am happy that my team for managing to beat Cameroon, a big name in African football. It was not easy for us because we had a very strong opponent in front of us. The players applied the instructions to the letter. Now, we have to think about our last game against Congo.

Rigobert Song (Head Coach, Cameroon)

We made some mistakes during the match and that’s normal because the players are still learning. I am happy with the performance of the players who have given their maximum. I will continue to work with them to make progress. On the other hand, I am disappointed by the cruel end. We’re eliminated from the tournament and it’s a huge disappointment.

Source: CAF

22, January 2018

UN expresses concerns about the swelling numbers of Ambazonian refugees in Nigeria ⁰

The UN has expressed concerns about the swelling numbers of people fleeing English-speaking areas of Cameroon for Nigeria, saying it is particularly worried over the safety of women and children.

William Spindler, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), decried the precarious situation of women and children, which made up about 80 percent of the approximately 10,000 registered refugees in Nigeria’s Cross River.

“Some of these are boys and girls who fled to Nigeria alone,” Spindler said, adding that unaccompanied and separated children are particularly vulnerable.”

“UNHCR has received numerous reports that children have to work or beg to survive or to help their families.”

“Many reported that they were unable to attend school, for lack of time and money.”

“Thousands more are among the population of unregistered Cameroonians in neighboring states, where some of the children are unaccompanied and vulnerable.”

“UNHCR is working with the Nigerian authorities to assist with the reunification of separated children with their families, to provide unaccompanied children with protection services and to restore the basic right of all children to education,” Spindler said.

He said some of the children fleeing to Nigeria told UNHCR that they had been out of school in Cameroon for all of 2017.

“For women, the lack of work combined with the over-stretched reception facilities, creates a higher risk of sexual and gender-based violence, particularly from survival sex.”

“While only a limited number of cases have been recorded, mainly in the Amana community of Cross River state, UNHCR is concerned that many more cases go unreported or are referred only to community elders.”

“Incidents of domestic violence, as well as cases of teenage pregnancies involving girls as young as 14, have also been reported,” the spokesperson elaborated.

He said in Benue, two school buildings were serving as temporary refugee accommodations, where women and their families sleep inside communal school halls – deprived of private space and the right to family dignity.

“For them, and for the rest of the population living in temporary tents hastily built next to local residences, sufficient and appropriate shelter is key to ensure adequate registration, systematic aid distribution and reduced protection risks,” Spindler stressed.

According to him, UNHCR and the Nigerian authorities are currently working to identify sites away from the border, where the refugees can live according to international standards.

“We are also establishing offices in the towns of Calabar and Adikpo to better provide assistance and protection to the women and children,” he said, noting that support includes food, basic relief items, water and sanitation facilities.

Since mid-2017, Cameroon’s Anglophone regions have seen demonstrations as tensions have mounted over what the country’s English-speakers see as discrimination against them in favor of the majority French-speaking population.

Source: Sahara Reporters

21, January 2018

Bundes: SPD to decide on coalition talks with CDU ⁰

Germany’s Social Democratic (SPD) Party is scheduled to hold a meeting on Sunday to decide whether the center-left party should initiate formal coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives, a decision that may help pull the European country out of a protracted political limbo.

Some 600 delegates from the SPD and its 45-member board would gather for a make-or-break conference in the western German city of Bonn on Sunday to vote on whether to pursue a coalition deal with Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU).

The meeting marks a crucial moment in the four-month effort to establish a new German government and will also be watched closely elsewhere in Europe, where Germany is the largest economy.

The Sunday vote aims to endorse the conditions of a preliminary deal that was struck between SPD leader Martin Schulz and Merkel’s conservative parties earlier this month, which calls for more concessions on labor, health, and migration policies.

The 28-page agreement demands the abolition of Germany’s dual public-private health insurance system in favor of a single citizen’s insurance, scaling back temporary employment contracts and allowing family reunions for asylum seekers suffering unusual hardship.

A negative vote by the SPD would prolong the political deadlock and leave Merkel with the option of either leading an unstable minority government or facing snap polls.

“Social Democrats in all of Europe are looking at this party conference,” Schulz said on Saturday.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C), who is leader of Germany’s conservative CDU party, Horst Seehofer (L), the leader of the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, and Martin Schulz (R), the leader of Germany’s SPD, pose after a press conference at the SPD headquarters, in Berlin, on January 12, 2018. (Photo by AFP)

In an interview with German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, SPD parliamentary leader Andrea Nahles said she expected formal talks to happen, stressing, “I ask everyone in my party to take responsibility: Please consider the consequences if this government option fails.”

A leader of Merkel’s Bavarian CSU sister party also said that a “no” vote would be “a political catastrophe” for Germany.

“I can only appeal to everyone to get it together and help bring about a government,” Horst Seehofer said in a recent interview with Bildnewspaper.

Germany has been in political limbo since elections in September last year, which saw heavy losses for the centrist “grand coalition” that has been ruling the country for the past four years.

Merkel, seeking a fourth term in office, has been looking to form a coalition with the Social Democrats after her center-right bloc lost some support to the far right Alternative for Germany (AfD) Party in the elections and her attempts to form a three-way tie-up with the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) and the Greens failed.

The two mainstream German parties, the CDU and the SPD, fear that a lack of consensus among them could give the far-right nationalist parties more of a say in German politics as the September general elections clearly showed that they are on the rise.

In her annual New Year’s address, Chancellor Merkel said Germans had rarely been so split over the changes taking place in their society, stressing that she was committed to helping tackle the challenges of the future by working rapidly to build a stable government.

The results of a survey, which was conducted by the Forsa polling company last week, found that 61 percent of SPD voters were in favor of moving on to formal coalition talks. The same poll found that the center-left party would score just 18 percent if elections were held now, below the 20.5 percent garnered in September.