Germany's Social Democrats party leader Martin Schulz said Friday he backed starting "open-ended" talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel on ending the country's political deadlock.

After talks with the veteran leader late Thursday, Schulz said he would recommend the SPD begin formal discussions with Merkel but denied a media report this meant he was committing to joining a new government.

"We have several options for forming a government," he said. "We should discuss all of these options and that is what I will recommend to the party leadership Monday."