German government wrangling hits crunch home stretch

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives huddled with the Social Democrats today ahead of what was billed as the clincher in marathon talks to overcome still thorny differences and agree on a left-right government.
A clutch of negotiators from her Christian Democratic Union (CDU), its Bavarian allies the CSU and the Social Democrats (SPD) met in Berlin with pressure mounting before a full-table session, which was delayed and expected to run well into the morning hours.
"I'm preparing for a very long night. I've packed a toothbrush," quipped CSU general secretary Alexander Dobrindt, while SPD whip Thomas Oppermann struck an upbeat note: "Today's the finale, I think we'll manage it."

In September elections, Merkel won a resounding third term at the helm of Europe's top economy but fell just short of an outright majority, forcing her to reach out to centre-left rivals to form a "grand coalition".
With an earlier loveless marriage from 2005 to 2009 - when the SPD governed in Merkel's shadow, only to be trounced at the ballot box in two elections in a row - SPD chief Sigmar Gabriel faces scepticism among members.
Upping the stakes, he has pledged in an unprecedented move to let the more than 470,000-strong rank-and-file have the final say on any coalition deal in a postal ballot, the outcome of which would be known by around December 14.

Merkel has dug her heels in over SPD demands for tax hikes for the wealthiest but she has conceded that the SPD's deal-breaker of a national minimum wage is on the horizon despite her fears it will cost jobs.

Wrangling continues over how the minimum wage would work, while agreement on another SPD red line issue on easing a ban on dual nationality - a key issue for Germany's large Turkish community - remains elusive.
A handful of compromises have been teased out, such as on rent control and a women's boardroom quota.
Other sticking points in the horse-trading include pensions policy and childcare subsidies as well as ministerial posts.

Many of the most contentious points have to do with money.
Media reports say the outlay for both parties' wish list would amount to at least 50 billion euros (USD 68 billion), more than three times what is apparently available.
"If you say 15 billion you're nearer to reality," CDU general secretary Hermann Groehe said.