Germany's SPD members back coalition with Merz
FILE PHOTO: German Labour Minister Hubertus Heil attends a so-called Social Democratic Party (SPD) dialogue conference with the party leadership as part of the SPD members' vote on the coalition agreement between the SPD, CDU and CSU, in Baunatal, Germany, April 26, 2025. REUTERS/Leon Kuegeler/File Photo
BERLIN - Germany's Social Democrats members 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.
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.
In the vote, which ended on Tuesday just before midnight, 84% of the members who took part were in favour of the deal, the sources said, adding that 56% of the around 360,000 members took part in the vote.
"In these very difficult times in global politics, we bear responsibility for our security, for economic growth, secure jobs and equal opportunities," party general secretary Matthias Miersch said in an emailed statement. REUTERS
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