Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) has approved a coalition agreement with the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU), securing the final step needed to form a new government under Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz.
According to public broadcaster ARD, 84.6% of SPD members voted in favor of the deal during an internal online ballot that concluded late Wednesday. The vote saw a 56% participation rate, surpassing the required 20% threshold and making the outcome binding.
SPD Secretary General Matthias Miersch is expected to announce the official results at a press conference later today.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) ratified the coalition agreement earlier this week at a special party congress in Berlin, while its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), gave its approval earlier this month.
With the SPD's backing now confirmed, leaders from both parties are set to formally sign the coalition agreement next Monday. Germany’s Bundestag will then meet on May 6 to elect Merz as chancellor, officially ending Olaf Scholz’s term.
In February’s snap elections, the CDU/CSU alliance secured 28.5% of the vote—falling short of a majority—while the SPD recorded its lowest result ever at 16.4%. Nonetheless, the two parties together command 328 seats in parliament, well above the 316-seat threshold required to govern.
The new coalition is expected to focus on issues including economic competitiveness, defense, and immigration reform, as Merz prepares to lead a centrist-right government following years of Social Democratic leadership.
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