Government formation: CDU, CSU and SPD sign coalition agreement

Ten weeks after the Bundestag election, the fifth black and red coalition is sealed in the history of the Federal Republic. The chairpersons of the CDU, CSU and SPD signed their 144 -page coalition agreement entitled “Responsibility for Germany” in Berlin. The first test for the alliance will follow on Tuesday. Then the Union and SPD want to choose the CDU boss Friedrich Merz as the tenth Chancellor.

Merz: “Powerful, planned, trustworthy”

Before the signing, Merz said that the coalition wanted to advance Germany “with reforms and investments”. Europe is waiting for Germany to make a powerful contribution to the common project again. “I am very confident that we will succeed from tomorrow our country powerfully, planned, trustworthy.”

Klingbeil: need “possible maker” – Söder wants full steam

The designated SPD Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil emphasized that the government could only be successful with team spirit. As a motto for black and red, he said: “Germany needs fewer administrators and more possible.”

CSU boss Markus Söder called for “full steam for Germany”. “Not everything will go overnight.” However, with the implementation of the resolutions from the coalition agreement, one has to come to a new “Germany pace”. “It’s time for a new optimism.”

Twelve votes upholstery in the chancellor election

The path for the chancellor’s election on Tuesday is now also formally prepared. Merz needs the approval of the majority of all members of the Bundestag in a secret election to become Chancellor. That is 316 votes. The Bundestag includes 328 Union and SPD politicians. Despite the thin cushion, Merz’s choice is considered pretty safe in the first ballot.

After his election, the 69-year-old receives the certificate of appointment from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Bellevue Castle and is then sworn in in the Bundestag. This is followed by the appointment and swearing -in of his cabinet.

The time of the GroKo is over

On Tuesday afternoon, the new government can go to work-exactly half a year after the break of the first traffic light coalition from the SPD, Greens and FDP. Germany then has a fully capable government that has also had a majority in the Bundestag.

Alliance of the CDU, CSU and SPD were formerly called “grand coalition” or Groko because they had a large majority in the Bundestag. In the first “grand coalition” from 1966 to 1969, the three coalition parties together provided 90 percent of the MPs. Already at the last black and red coalition in 2018 to 2021 it was only 56 percent. Now it is a narrow majority of 52 percent.

Merz wants a “work coalition”

For the no longer particularly large coalition, searched for a new name in the last few weeks without one. The suggestions from Kleiko (small coalition, idea of ​​the Greens), Angola and Albania coalition (according to the state colors) to the Cola-Zero coalition (according to the product colors) were largely not really serious.

The designated Chancellor has now baptized the new alliance “work coalition”. The heading of the coalition agreement is chosen soberly with “responsibility for Germany”.

Black and red acutely faces four challenges: the coalition wants to boost the weakening economy again, contain the irregular migration and get the finances with budget plans for 2025 and 2026 under control. In addition, the Merz/Klingbeil government must redefine its role in Europe and the world after the foreign policy change of course of US President Donald Trump and given the threat from Russia. According to the will of the designated Chancellor, the first results should be noticeable by summer.