The Conservatives and the SPD announce an agreement in principle for a coalition – Liberation

Two weeks after the conservative victory, a first positive signal for a black and red government coalition, reference to the colors of the CDU and the SPD. The German Conservatives of Friedrich Merz and the Social Democrats, in power since 2021, announced on Saturday March 8 that they have concluded an agreement in principle in order to form a government which plans to invest massively to relaunch and rearm the first European economy. Quick start -up, looking Discussions which had led to the last coalition, which had extended over more than two months.

« We have written a common document and we have reached an agreement on a whole series of questions », said the future conservative chancellor in front of the press, adding that partners were likely to start next week detailed negotiations to lead to the formation of a new executive. « We are all convinced that we have a great task to be accomplished » in the face of « challenges that the whole of Europe is confronted », said Friedrich Merz, the co-president of the SPD Lars Klingbeil, acknowledging that the two parties had « Succeeded in a first step ».

In detail, the two parties managed to overcome their disputes in migration matters, said the winner of the general elections on February 23. The SPD has thus accepted a controversial proposal from the Conservatives, who were allied on this subject before the elections with the far right, concerning a strengthening of border controls « In agreement with European partners » and a discharge of undocumented foreigners. Social Democrats for their part imposed their demand for an increase in the minimum wage at 15 euros, claimed Lars Klingbeil.

The partners had created surprise by agreeing earlier in the week week on a gigantic investment program of several hundred billion euros assigned to reset and infrastructure. A decision all the more remarkable as it supposed a sprain to budgetary discipline Darling by the two parties who follow one another in power in Germany.

Discussions to create a new government are particularly followed in Europe with regard to the international context. Assuming for a long time a strong energy dependence with Russia, Germany had been under the American military umbrella since the end of the Second World War, refusing to play a more important role in terms of security and defense. But the strategic rapprochement of Trumpist America with Russia changed the situation, pushing for example Friedrich Merz to pronounce in favor of greater defense autonomy.