Germany's Merz to form government after coalition deal clears last hurdle
Germany's Social Democrats have backed a treaty for a coalition with the CDU/CSU conservatives, the party said on Wednesday, clearing the last hurdle for the formation of a new government in Europe's largest economy.
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The conservative-SPD coalition was the only path to a majority government after both major parties suffered steep losses in the February federal election.
They have both ruled out governing with the far-right Alternative for Germany which scored a historic second place.
Over the last two weeks, SPD members have voted on the coalition treaty drawn up by leaders of both parties. Their approval, which had been expected, would enable conservative leader Friedrich Merz to become chancellor on May 6.
Germany's chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz. Photo: Reuters
In the vote, which ended on Tuesday just before midnight, 84 per cent of the members who took part were in favour of the deal, the party said, adding that 56 per cent of the around 360,000 members took part in the vote.
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