Germany's CDU and SPD agree on preliminary coalition deal
Photo: Friedrich Merz, leader of the German CDU party (Getty Images)
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) have agreed on a framework document for further negotiations on forming a government, according to Der Spiegel.
Less than two weeks after the early elections to the Bundestag, the CDU and SPD reached an agreement on an 11-page document. The document outlines the intentions regarding key policy areas for the future coalition government.
The document, which serves as the foundation for further coalition talks, covers topics including migration, the so-called debt brake, defense, and tax reform. It already includes planned measures to achieve the set goals.
Coalition talks will begin next week. CDU leader Friedrich Merz, whose party received the most support in the election, plans to form a coalition by Easter, which will be celebrated on April 20.
Early Bundestag elections
At the end of last year, Germany's coalition of the SPD, the Free Democratic Party, and the Greens collapsed, leading to a decision to hold early elections. In the February vote, the CDU secured the victory, securing 28.5% of the votes. The SPD came in third with 16.4%.
The second-place spot in the Bundestag election was claimed by the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD), whose representatives are known for their pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian views. The AfD won more than 20% of the vote.
