Photo Gallery Germany in a Political Bind
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is now a caretaker chancellor with no majority in parliament. She is wary of new elections, but with coalition negotiations having collapsed, that may be where Germany is headed.
Everybody is blaming Christian Lindner, head of the business-friendly Free Democrats, for the collapse of coalition talks. He is seen here, second from left, just prior to a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (l.) has begun a series of meetings with the leaders of all of the country's political parties that have seats in parliament. Here, he is seen talking with Green Party co-head Cem Özdemir.
Merkel appears to have the least to lose from new elections. She was reportedly furious with FDP head Christian Lindner when he backed out of coalition talks.
