Coalition deal paves way for new German government
CDU/CSU and SPD have reached an agreement regarding the new German government. The coalition agreement was presented in Berlin.
What do you need to know?
- When was the agreement reached? The coalition agreement between CDU/CSU and SPD was presented in Berlin on Wednesday, 9 April 2025.
- What are the key elements of the agreement? The agreement includes easing the debt brake for defence and establishing a special fund of 425 billion pounds sterling for infrastructure investment.
- What next for the agreement? Approval of the agreement requires the consent of SPD members in a referendum and a decision by a small party congress in CDU. In CSU, the board's approval is sufficient.
Key elements of the coalition agreement
The CDU/CSU Christian Democratic parties and the Social Democratic SPD have reached an agreement on forming a new German government.
Party leaders Friedrich Merz (CDU), Markus Söder (CSU), Lars Klingbeil and Saskia Esken (SPD) presented the coalition agreement in Berlin. “We've done some hard work, but we have a solid plan ahead of us,” said future chancellor Merz.
The agreement includes, among other things, the easing of the so-called debt brake for defence and the creation of a special fund amounting to €491 billion for investment, mainly in infrastructure.
When will the new government be sworn in?
Coalition talks began on 13 March, three weeks after the early Bundestag elections. These elections were won by the Christian Democratic CDU/CSU bloc with 28.5% of the vote, which was insufficient to form an independent government. SPD secured 16.4% of the votes.
“Germany is getting a capable, dynamic government,” added Merz.
According to the plan, Merz could be elected and sworn in as chancellor in the Bundestag on 7 May, on the same day his cabinet could be sworn in.
