berlin chancellor angela merkel say monday want conclude exploratory talk possible coalition center-left social democrats spd mid-january end germany political deadlock merkel ask comment president emmanuel macron germany france hope make progress ideas reform euro zone march realistic give risk talk spd could falter mention march want hold exploratory talk mid-january merkel tell reporters meet executive board christian democrats cdu merkel conservative bloc weaken september election produce splinter parliament hold first meet spd wednesday deal spd merkel best chance secure fourth term chancellor imply room maneuver policy appear rule cooperation outside framework formal coalition exploratory talk successful spd move negotiate detail blueprint cdu bavarian sister party csu set government policy next four years spd agree enter talk reluctantly voters reward september last four years grand coalition merkel hand bad result since 1933. spd want cooperate merkel outside formal coalition agreement hope good preserve distinct separate identity voters mind merkel say stable government require formal agreements policy anything short would mean exploratory talk successful merkel spd leader martin schulz fail reach agreement president frank-walter steinmeier could call new election something neither party want fear far-right alternative germany afd would make gain spd general secretary lars klingbeil warn merkel monday party leaders would win require bless members renew alliance spd give way key election promise say would insist distinctive leftist policies introduce single citizen insurance replace current dual system superior private health insurance use mainly wealthy widely accessible public health insurance conservatives say switch unify system would erode competition worsen service merkel say monday possible find common grind spd ways improve healthcare system immigration another stick point spd oppose conservative plan prolong halt right accept asylum seekers bring family members say measure hamper efforts integrate 1.6 million people enter germany seek asylum 2015 2016. integration work families klingbeil say csu fear losses afd election bavaria next year likely put resistance spd policy demand cdu notably immigration merkel want outline coalition deal spd mid-january