German parties agree nuclear extension-officials

Thursday, October 15, 2009

BERLIN, Oct 15 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives have agreed with the Free Democrats (FDP) on extending the life of nuclear plants deemed safe but the timing is unclear, FDP and conservative politicians said on Thursday.

"You can say that," the FDP's Gudrun Kopp told Reuters, when asked about agreement on an extension. She is a member of a working group that is discussing economic and energy issues. A conservative member of the working group confirmed the agreement.

Details on the plants, the operating times and distribution of additional revenues would be agreed later, said Kopp.

The conservatives, comprising Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) and Bavaria's Christian Social Union (CSU), are in talks with the pro-business FDP to form a centre-right coalition.

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