Germany's Angela Merkel finally reaches coalition deal with SPD
Source: DW
Germany's Angela Merkel finally reaches coalition deal with SPD
07.02.2018
Negotiators from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), their Bavarian partners the Christian Social Union (CSU) and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) have finally hashed out a contract for a new grand coalition government — probably ensuring that Angela Merkel will stay in office for a fourth tenure as German chancellor.
German news outlets including ARD and Der Spiegel reported just before 10 a.m. on Wednesday — the third day of "extra time" — that a final contract had been agreed, to be formally announced later in the day. The SPD leadership confirmed the reports in a group WhatsApp message, which began, "Tired. But satisfied," and said that final details were now being added to the text of the contract, which would then be assessed by the SPD negotiating team.
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One of the last major hurdles was the allocation of ministerial posts, always a thorny issue and typically among the last to be confirmed. Early reports suggested that the SPD would be handed the Finance Ministry - a major victory for the Social Democrats - while CSU leader Horst Seehofer, one of the most conservative figures on Merkel's side, would become Interior Minister. The SPD also look set to keep control of the Foreign Ministry and the Labor Ministry, with party leader Martin Schulz reportedly keen to be Foreign Minister.
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The SPD members will have the final say on whether to accept the coalition agreement, in a vote due to take place by post in the coming weeks. Regional party officials have reported several thousand new members joining the party since the New Year, which means that more than 460,000 people will have the right to vote. If that hurdle is cleared — and the vote could well be close — Merkel will be free to appoint a Cabinet and the parties will sign the coalition contract. Then, if all goes to plan, Germany will have a new government by Easter — some six months after the general election.
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Read more: http://www.dw.com/en/germanys-angela-merkel-finally-reaches-coalition-deal-with-spd/a-42459353
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