German Chancellor Angel Merkel comments:

  • Says conservatives tried everything to make coalition talks work
  • Says regrets FDP's decision to pull out of talks on forming coalition gov't
  • Says coalition gov't would have strengthened germany's stability
  • Will talk to German president to inform him that she had failed to form coalition gov't
  • Immigration was main sticking point
  • Germany will be in good hands in difficult weeks to come

Background ICYMI:

EUR moved lower on the earlier news and has stabilised somewhat since lows circa 1.1722. Update:

The German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has the power to call a fresh election. In meeting with him Merkel is pretty much saying she will not be seeking to form minority government with the Greens alone. IMO.

So ... new election here we come! (Again ... IMO)