Maraaz
In Germany, Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Leader Friedrich Merz, Social Democratic Party (SPD) Co-Chairs Saskia Esken and Lars Klingbeil and Christian Social Union (CSU) Leader Marcus Söder signed the 144-page coalition agreement titled “Responsibility for Germany” and formed the new government.
Germany has finally got its new government after 6 months since the collapse of the coalition government, which was called the “traffic light coalition” because of its colors.
The CDU, CSU and SPD party leaderships signed the 144-page coalition agreement titled “Responsibility for Germany” together in the capital Berlin today. The ceremony was attended by Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Leader Friedrich Merz, Social Democratic Party (SPD) Co-Chairs Saskia Esken and Lars Klingbeil and Christian Social Union (CSU) Leader Marcus Söder.
VICE PRIME MINISTER IS SPD PARTY CO-CHAIRMAN KLINGBEIL
The signing ceremony of the new coalition government was held at the Gasometer, an industrial museum in Berlin’s Schöneberg district. In the agreement text called “Responsibility for Germany”, the CDU/CSU and SPD parties outlined what they wanted to achieve as a coalition during their term in power. The Chancellor of Germany’s 25th government will be CDU Party Leader Friedrich Merz, while the Deputy Chancellor will be SPD Party Co-chairman Lars Klingbeil.
“I AM VERY CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO GOVERN OUR COUNTRY IN A STRONG, PLANNED AND RELIABLE WAY FROM TOMORROW”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, CDU leader and future Prime Minister Friedrich Merz promised that the new coalition will start working in a planned and powerful manner from day one. In his speech, Merz said, “The coalition agreement we signed today demonstrates exactly this will to get down to business in a serious, focused and problem-sensitive manner,” and added that these will be achieved through reforms and investments.
Expressing that leading this coalition to success is almost a historical obligation, 69-year-old Merz said, “We are determined to do this together. I am very confident that we will be able to govern our country in a strong, planned and reliable way from tomorrow.”
“GERMANY NEEDS FEWER ADMINISTRATORS AND MORE FACILITATION”
Speaking after Merz, SPD Party Co-Chair Lars Klingbeil emphasized that the government can only be successful with team spirit. Reminding once again in his speech that Germany is a country of immigration, Klingbeil said, “Germany needs fewer administrators and more facilitators.”
“IT WON’T ALL HAPPEN OVERNIGHT”
CSU leader Markus Söder called for “full speed ahead for Germany” at the ceremony and said, “It won’t all happen overnight. However, the implementation of the decisions resulting from the coalition agreement should lead to a new German momentum. It’s time for new optimism.”
MERZ NEEDS 316 VOTES
The coalition government will officially take office after the vote to be held in the Bundestag tomorrow. Friedrich Merz needs to receive the approval of a majority of the Bundestag members, i.e. 316 votes, in the secret ballot to determine the country’s prime minister. The coalition government parties CDU/CSU and SPD are represented in the parliament with a total of 328 deputies. Despite the small difference, it is almost certain that Merz will be elected in the first round of voting. After his election, Merz will first receive his certificate of election from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace and then take the oath of office in the Bundestag.
A MINISTER OF TURKISH ORIGIN WILL TAKE OFFICE IN THE CABINET
Serap Güler (CDU), of Turkish origin, will take on the position of Minister of State within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the new cabinet. Güler, who will hold one of the most important political posts in the coalition government, will be one of the two ministers of state responsible for Germany’s foreign affairs, along with Gunther Krichbaum.
The new German government cabinet includes: Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Finance Minister and Deputy Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, Labour and Social Affairs Minister Barbel Bas, Housing, Urban Development and Construction Minister Verena Hubertz, Justice and Consumer Protection Minister Stefanie Hubig, Economic Cooperation and Development Minister Reem Alabali-Radovan, Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Minister Carsten Schneider, State Minister and Federal Government Member for East Germany Elisabeth Kaiser, State Minister and Federal Government Member for Migration, Refugees and Integration Natalie Pawlik, Education, Family, Seniors, Women and Youth Minister Karin Prien, Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche, Transport Minister Patrick Schneider, Health Minister Nina Warken, Minister of Digitalisation and State Modernisation Karsten Wildberger, State Minister for Sports and Volunteering Christiane Schenderlein, State Minister for Culture and the Media Wolfram Weimer, State Secretary for State Cooperation Michael Meister, State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Serap Güler, State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Günther Krichbaum, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space Dorothee Bar, Minister of Food, Agriculture and the Interior Alois Rainer, State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Florian Hahn”.
4 MAIN PROBLEMS FACING THE MERZ GOVERNMENT
It is assumed that there are four main problems facing the 25th government of Germany, which will be formed under the presidency of Friedrich Merz. Accordingly, the new government primarily wants to revive the stagnating economy, prevent irregular migration and bring the financial situation under control with the 2025 and 2026 budget plans. The Merz/Klingbeil government will also work to redefine Germany’s role in Europe and the world in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s change of course in foreign policy and in light of threats from Russia. The candidate for chancellor wants to see the first results by the summer.
