Germany’s SPD approves coalition deal with Christian Democrats

BERLIN

Members of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) have overwhelmingly approved a coalition agreement with the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU), party officials announced on Wednesday.

SPD Secretary General Matthias Miersch said that 84.6% of party members who participated in the online ballot supported the coalition deal, with 15.4% opposing it, meaning the agreement had received strong backing from the party base.

“SPD members have voted overwhelmingly in favor of the coalition agreement negotiated between the SPD and the CDU/CSU, providing strong grassroots backing for the party leadership to join the coalition government and take responsibility for Germany's interests,“ he told a press conference in Berlin.

"Joining the coalition government isn't just about our party—it's about our country. It's about charting the right course, to bring Germany forward, above all to invest in the future of this country, ensuring social justice, climate protection, securing jobs, fostering growth, providing relief for the middle class, and guiding our country safely through these turbulent times," he added.

Miersch announced that SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil will serve as the vice-chancellor and finance minister in the new coalition government, with other SPD ministerial appointments to be finalized in the coming days.

Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) had approved the coalition agreement on Monday at a special party conference in Berlin. The CDU's Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), endorsed the deal earlier this month.

Following the SPD's approval, party leaders will meet in Berlin on Monday to sign the coalition agreement, announce Cabinet appointments, and outline the new government's policy priorities. Parliament will then convene on Tuesday to elect Friedrich Merz as the new chancellor, succeeding Olaf Scholz.

The Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) won 28.5% in February's snap elections but fell short of an outright majority. Despite the Social Democrats receiving their lowest-ever result at 16.4%, they emerged as a crucial coalition partner. Together, the parties will control 328 seats in parliament, comfortably exceeding the 316-seat threshold needed for a governing majority.