Social Democrats form a coalition to lead Germany as a CDU
- CDU’s Friedrich Merz is expected to become the next prime minister, replacing Olaf Scholz after Germany’s central right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the central left Social Democrats agreed to form a coalition government.
- The coalition has already put in place sophisticated plans for increased defense spending and infrastructure investment, indicating a change in the CDU’s financial stance.
- The deal was accelerated by international tensions, including suspicions over US tariffs and transatlantic alliances, as well as domestic political pressures due to German far-right support and growing economic stagnation.
Conservatives and central left-wing parties signed a deal on Wednesday to form a new German government after weeks of negotiations, paving the way for new leadership in Europe’s biggest economy after months of political drift.
Friedrich Merzthe leader of the Christian Democratic Union on the centre right, is expected to become Germany’s next leader under the agreement, replacing Prime Minister Olaf Scholz. Officials sent an invitation to a press conference on the Union contract at 3pm (1300 GMT).
Mertz’s two-party union block emerged as the most powerful force since the German election on February 23rd. Merz relied on Scholz’s Central Left Party to put together a coalition with the parliamentary majority.
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The wait time is not over yet
It will probably be a little while before Congress can elect Mertz as prime minister. Before that happens, the coalition contract requires approval in the Social Democrat membership vote and the CDU treaty of Meltz.
Details of the contract were not available immediately.

Friedrich Merz is expected to become Germany’s next leader after the central right Christian Democratic Union and the central left Social Democrats have reached a contract to form a new German government. (Michael Kappeler/DPA via AP)
However, last month, both sides have already pushed plans through Congress to allow for higher defensive spending by loosening strict rules on debt accumulation and establishing a massive infrastructure fund aimed at boosting a stagnant economy.
It was a turn for Mertz, who the party spoke about escaping new debt before the election without completely closing the door to Germany’s voluntary “debt brake.”
The election took place seven months before schedule after the unpopular coalition of Scorts collapsed in November. Germany, 27 countries of the European Union The most populous members have since been in political range.
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Pressure from overseas or from home
Market turbulence sparked by the announcement that President Donald Trump wiped out tariffs that Meltz’s unions and the Social Democrats put pressure on them to their conclusions.
Tariffs are a central challenge for the new government, increasing the troubles of the export-heavy economy that has been shrinking over the past two years and threatening to generate growth.
The growing doubts about the US commitment to European allies also influenced the future coalition’s decision to allow for greater defence spending. Meltz said last month Germany And Europe must quickly strengthen their defensive capabilities, and “whatever it takes” must now go for our defense.”
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Another factor in rushing to reach a deal was the decline of unions in polls, indicating that the election showed slipped out, but the German far-right alternative, which ended a strong two seconds in February, came as the political void continued.
The new coalition of the future summarises what was a traditional German convention after World War II, but the performance that won the Union election in February was inactive, with the Social Democrats dropping into the worst postwar screening of the national election.
Together, they have 328 seats in Bundestag, a 630-member council member.