<h1>Conservative and Social Democrat leaders start exploratory talks for potential coalition in Germany, focus on economy and migration.</h1> Negotiators from the conservative bloc led by Friedrich Merz and the centre-left Social Democrats have begun exploratory talks for a potential coalition government in Germany. Merz's Union bloc emerged victorious in the recent election, with the far-right Alternative for Germany in second place. The Social Democrats, led by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, suffered their worst post-World War II result, placing third. Both parties, holding 328 seats in the 630-seat parliament, are discussing economic revitalization and migration issues. Talks are ongoing, with hopes for a coalition agreement by Easter, although no formal deadline exists for forming a government.