Germany/ CDU/CSU and SPD alliance conclude preliminary talks

2025-03-08 19:12:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The conservative CDU of election winner Friedrich Merz, its Bavarian sister party the CSU and the Social Democrats (SPD) have taken a major step towards forming a coalition government.

"The parties negotiating Germany's next coalition government have reached an agreement in their exploratory talks," conservative bloc leader Friedrich Merz said.

Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its only sister party in Bavaria, the Christian Social Union (CSU), will now move into formal negotiations to form a government with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Merz is expected to be Germany's next chancellor and has previously spoken of plans to revive Europe's top economy and its armed forces after US President Donald Trump rocked transatlantic relations by casting doubt on the future strength of the NATO alliance.

CDU/CSU and SPD to begin formal negotiations

Speaking at a press conference in Berlin with Lars Klingbeil, co-leader and leader of the SPD parliamentary group, and other leaders, Merz said agreement had been reached on a number of core issues.

They include a plan to remove undocumented migrants and asylum seekers at land borders, in coordination with neighboring countries.

Klingbeil said the SPD was able to ensure that the recent reform of German citizenship law, allowing for shorter eligibility deadlines, would remain in force.

The exploratory talks also focused in part on tax policy, with plans to reduce the burden on middle-class families, cuts to energy bills and a permanent reduction in the Value Added Tax (VAT) on restaurant food.

Klingbeil said his party had won guarantees on key demands, such as a minimum wage of €15 ($16) an hour and stable pensions.

Merz added that a joint document should be the basis for formal coalition negotiations, which could begin next week if necessary.

Merz wants coalition formed by Easter

Merz has set a goal of completing the negotiations by Easter.

In Germany, coalition governments are usually formed in two stages, with parties first holding exploratory talks and then entering into formal coalition talks./ DW