Merkel’s Christian Democrats, the Christian Social Union and the Social Democrats were in coalition talks for five days, ending Sunday.  

The country is still without a new government more than three months after the general election. Many critics have said this is Merkel’s last chance to form a coalition.

But Merkel said, as she arrived at the SPD headquarters in Berlin: “I believe the talks can succeed.

“I’m going into these talks with optimism, indeed it’s clear that in these few days we have a huge amount of work ahead of us, but we’re willing to take on this work and achieve a good outcome.”

Social Democrat leader Martin Schulz said on Friday that multiple options for forming a government were still on the table.

After the talks finished, SPD general secretary Lars Klingbeil said there had been “serious, constructive and open” discussions.

An investment institute said following the election that the role of finance minister could be key in coalition talks and the future of Europe.