Germany’s Merz to form government after SPD backs coalition deal with conservatives

Germany’s coalition government is set to take power after the Social Democrats (SPD) voted to join forces with the CDU/CSU conservatives, clearing the way for Friedrich Merz to become chancellor next week.

The SPD, outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s centre-left party, will enter a coalition led by Merz’s centre-right CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU, following their February election win with 28.5% of the vote. The SPD, which placed third with 16.4% — its worst result since WWII — was essential for forming a majority without the far-right AfD, which came second.

In an internal vote, 84.6% of SPD members backed the coalition agreement, with a 56% turnout.

SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil will become vice-chancellor and finance minister, replacing the Greens’ Robert Habeck. Klingbeil has led the SPD since 2021 and began his political career in the party’s youth wing.

via Euronews

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