Deutsche Welle: Mr Lauterbach, are you pleased SPD delegates voted to begin coalition talks with the CDU/CSU?

Karl Lauterbach: I'm glad we got this result. I think this was the most important party conference in over 15 years. The result implies a certain responsibility for those of us who participated in the exploratory talks and will take up official coalition negotiations. And it motivates us to drive a hard bargain in the upcoming talks. Otherwise our party members won't accept the final deal. 

DW: The SPD appears to be deeply divided. Does that make it hard to conduct coalition talks?

KL: I don't think the party is divided. I think it merely expressed different opinions. Not every difference of opinion automatically equates to a deep rift. This can also bring us together. I think we're the only party that is able to have this kind of open debate without the tone getting nasty or personal. So I don't believe we're divided. I think both sides can live with this result.

DW: When do you think will Germany get a new government?

KL: I think it will be and shouldn't be more than a matter of weeks. We have to be able to govern and must make that clear. And incidentally, I think we can no longer come across to voters as self-absorbed and caught up in internal voting until we're satisfied. Citizens expect progress and we need to deliver.

Karl Lauterbach is a medical doctor who has represented the electoral district of Leverkusen-Cologne in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia as a member of the Bundestag since 2005. He also served on the health committee from 2005-2013 and has held the deputy chair of the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag since 2013.