Reelected Merkel seeks speedy coalition

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is seeking a speedy coalition with the business-oriented Free Democrats (FDP) after a major win in Sunday's election.

Merkel was set on Monday to meet with FDP leader, Guido Westerwelle, and set outline plans for “swift and thorough” negotiation for a new government that would not be any less subtle for its speedy formation.

"Of course quality comes before speed, but I think Germany is entitled to have a new government quickly. We have many tasks ahead of us," she said in Berlin ahead of the meeting.

Merkel added her center-right bloc was still committed to forming a government with the FDP, her party's choice coalition partner, with the aim of taking on the country's challenges, including its worst recession since the Second World War.

Challenges faced by the new government include leaving behind the recession, which has left its mark on Europe's biggest economy despite signs of recovery and growth, and rising unemployment and budget deficit.

The chancellor noted that she was looking forward to taking office by November 9, when Germany marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.