The conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the Social Democratic Party of Germany have concluded negotiations and announced the formation of a ruling coalition in Germany. Party representatives presented the coalition agreement on Wednesday, April 9, during a press conference in the Bundestag, writes UNN with reference to DW.
Details
Conservative leader Friedrich Merz on Wednesday presented a "strong plan" to jointly advance Germany, announcing a coalition agreement between the center-right and center-left parties, which he will lead as chancellor, dpa writes.
Coalition for a new government has been agreed upon in Germany09.04.2025, 14:22 • [views_5201]
According to the 144-page agreement cited by Reuters, the parties agreed to create an expert commission to modernize the debt brake; reduce the tax by 1% per year for five years, starting in 2028; abolish the possibility of obtaining German citizenship in three years, introduce voluntary military service; reduce budget expenditures, including voluntary funding of international organizations.
Migration
The partners in the future coalition paid great attention to the problem of illegal migration. The parties managed to agree on stopping those entering Germany at the border, even if they have applied for asylum. Family reunification will be suspended for two years, voluntary refugee reception programs will be discontinued, and the list of safe countries for deportation will be expanded. In addition, border controls in Germany will be tightened.
Citizenship
According to dpa, the new ruling coalition of Germany intends to tighten the rules for obtaining citizenship, repealing the reform of the previous administration. According to the terms of the coalition agreement announced on Wednesday, the next government will seek to repeal the possibility of obtaining German citizenship after only three years of residence in exceptional cases. The general rule of five years, introduced by the previous government, instead of eight years, should be maintained, as well as the possibility of dual citizenship.
Spending cuts
Germany's next ruling coalition plans to cut spending on development programs and contributions to international organizations by 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion). According to the terms of the coalition agreement announced on Wednesday, the coalition announced its intention to reduce voluntary contributions to international organizations, without specifying specific savings targets.
National Security Council
The new German government plans to create a National Security Council in the Chancellery to streamline foreign and security policy decision-making. The body "should coordinate key issues of comprehensive security policy, develop strategies and ensure strategic forecasting, conduct joint situation assessments and thus be a body for joint political decision-making," according to the coalition agreement announced in Berlin on Wednesday. Germany needs a federal and interagency national crisis team and a national situation center in the Chancellor's Office, the agreement says.
Minimum wage
Germany's new ruling coalition intends to set the minimum wage in Germany at 15 euros ($16.62) per hour next year - compared to the current 12.82 euros - according to a draft coalition agreement. The final decision will be made by a commission of experts, employers and employees. The new coalition also wants to ensure that more employees benefit from collective bargaining, while setting exceptions for small businesses.
The new ruling coalition will have 328 out of 630 parliamentary seats in the Bundestag.
CDU Chairman Friedrich Merz is expected to be elected Chancellor of Germany on May 7. Earlier, he expressed his intention to complete the formation of the government before Easter, which is celebrated in Germany on April 20 this year. However, the results of the coalition negotiations must be approved during a poll of SPD members, which will last 10 days, as well as by the governing bodies of the CDU and CSU.
What Merz said: about the coalition, Trump's duties and Ukraine
Commenting on the results of the negotiations on the formation of the ruling coalition, Merz said: "Germany is getting a strong government capable of acting." He added that European countries can rely on Germany. The CDU leader devoted a lot of time in his speech to the issues of migration. He promised to "largely end illegal migration" by introducing strict border controls and a campaign to repatriate those who are in the country without legal grounds. "Controls will be established at the national borders, and we will also refuse asylum seekers," he said.
In his speech at the press conference, Merz also mentioned the trade policy of US President Donald Trump. According to him, he caused "turbulence in the financial markets," and it is not known what this will lead to.
Finally, the likely next Chancellor of Germany promised to continue "comprehensive support" for Ukraine.
How ministerial portfolios will be distributed in the new government
According to German media, the seats in the cabinet of ministers of the new government will be distributed as follows: CDU representatives will head the ministries of foreign affairs, health, transport, economy and energy, family, as well as the new ministry of digital and state modernization.
The CSU will receive the ministries of internal affairs, education and agriculture. And members of the SPD will head the ministries of finance, defense, economic development, labor, environment, construction and justice.
SPD Chairman Lars Klingbeil noted that the party will appoint ministers after its members approve the coalition agreement
CDU/CSU rating fell amid protracted negotiations
According to sociologists, at the beginning of April, the rating of the CDU/CSU bloc, which was supported by 28.5% of voters in the early elections to the Bundestag on February 23, fluctuates around 24-27 percent. According to a number of polls, in this indicator they are on par with the far-right Alternative for Germany.
According to Bild tabloid, the head of the Insa sociological institute, Herman Binkert, said that many voters are disappointed with the conservative bloc, as they believe that it failed to defend its election promises in coalition negotiations with the SPD.
The rating of the Social Democrats is 15-16%. They received 16.4% of the vote in the elections.