BERLIN, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A continuation of the "Grand Coalition" between the German Social Democrats (SPD), and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)/ Christian Social Union (CSU) would still be possible if Chancellor Angela Merkel were to step down, the departing SPD parliamentary faction leader Thomas Oppermann said on Friday.
Speaking during an appearance on the public broadcaster "ZDF", Oppermann said that while the SPD intended to return to opposition benches, Merkel's withdrawal from her long-standing role would create a "new situation."
Nevertheless, the senior SPD politician shared the widely-held view in Germany that a "Jamaica" coalition, a term describing a coalition among the CDU, CSU, Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Greens (Gruene) in line with their respective symbolic color, was the most likely constellation to govern the country next.
But SPD leader said his party would re-assess the situation if talks to form a new government failed.
"Our place is in the opposition," Oppermann emphasized, noting that the previous government had been "brutally" punished by voters. The SPD recorded its worst electoral outcome (20.5 percent) in German post-war history on Sunday.
Questioned about ceding his role as SPD parliamentary faction leader to former Labor Minister Andrea Nahles, Oppermann said that the office of opposition leader was "not tailored" to him.
Speaking to the newspaper "Focus" on Friday, Chancellor Angela Merkel's secretary Peter Altmaier (CDU), who is reportedly to replace Wolfgang Schaeuble as interim finance minister, warned that coalition negotiations could drag on until after Christmas.
