Merkel believes three
Angela Merkel
BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed confidence on Friday that three party groups trying to form a new German government can reach a coalition deal  despite scepticism from her would-be allies.
Angela Merkel  leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)  arrives at the German Parliamentary Society offices before the start of exploratory talks about forming a new coalition government in Berlin  Germany November 2  2017. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke
With her former coalition partners  the Social Democrats (SPD)  determined to go into opposition   Merkel  is pushing for a coalition with the ecologist Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP)  after her conservatives bled support to the far-right in an election last month.
âI think difficult deliberations lie ahead of us in the coming days â  Merkel  told reporters on arrival for a fresh round of exploratory talks on Friday. âBut I still think we can tie the ends together if we try and work hard.â
 Merkel  needs the coalition lineup  which is untested at national level  to work or could see her time in power coming to an end after 12 years.
 Merkel  said on election night - Sept. 24 - she was confident there would be a stable government before Christmas. Senior conservatives close to her say it may take until next year for a new government to form.
 Merkel  said the two weeks of exploratory talks had allowed the parties to set out positions and begin working towards a deal.
BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed confidence on Friday that three party groups trying to form a new German government can reach a coalition deal  despite scepticism from her would-be allies.
 [TGT] arrives at the German Parliamentary Society offices before the start of exploratory talks about forming a new coalition government in Berlin  Germany November 2  2017. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke
With her former coalition partners  the Social Democrats (SPD)  determined to go into opposition    [TGT] is pushing for a coalition with the ecologist Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP)  after her conservatives bled support to the far-right in an election last month.
âI think difficult deliberations lie ahead of us in the coming days â   [TGT] told reporters on arrival for a fresh round of exploratory talks on Friday. âBut I still think we can tie the ends together if we try and work  [TGT] 
needs the coalition lineup  which is untested at national level  to work or could see her time in power coming to an end after 12 years.
  [TGT] said on election night - Sept. 24 - she was confident there would be a stable government before Christmas. Senior conservatives close to her say it may take until next year for a new government to form.
  [TGT] said the two weeks of exploratory talks had allowed the parties to set out positions and begin working towards a deal.