Germany has a new government, and Christian-Democrat Friedrich Merz is set to become chancellor, leading a grand coalition between the CDU/CSU and SPD.
It’s a familiar formula — but in a very different political landscape, with the far-right AfD now the second-largest party in parliament.
Here’s what you need to know.
#Germany #GermanPolitics #Bundestag #Merz #GroKo #Coalition #SPD #CDU #CSU #Afd
It’s a familiar formula — but in a very different political landscape, with the far-right AfD now the second-largest party in parliament.
Here’s what you need to know.
#Germany #GermanPolitics #Bundestag #Merz #GroKo #Coalition #SPD #CDU #CSU #Afd
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NewsTranscript
00:01Germany has a new government and a new chancellor-in-waiting. After weeks of
00:05negotiations, the CDU and SPD have sealed a coalition agreement that brings back a
00:09familiar governing model, Große Koalition or Grand Coalition. Often called GroKo
00:15in Germany, this arrangement brings together the country's two largest
00:19parties. This latest GroKo is the fifth in German history, but this time it's a
00:24bit different. The Social Democratic SPD actually came third in February's
00:28election, behind not only the CDU but also the far-right AFD, which is now the
00:34second largest party in Parliament. CDU leader Friedrich Merz is set to become
00:39Germany's next chancellor. Pending final approval votes within both parties, Merz
00:44will face a Bundestag vote on May 7th, where he'll need 316 votes to be elected.
00:49The coalition holds 328 seats, just enough for a majority, though some dissent is
00:55already rumbling within both camps. The new coalition re-establishes a governing
01:00format that has steered Germany for 12 of the last 20 years, most notably under
01:04Angela Merkel.
01:06But Merz's leadership marks a clear break from Merkel's centrist, consensus-driven
01:10style. He brings a sharper tone on economic discipline, a tougher stance on
01:14migration, and a more assertive vision for Germany's role in Europe.