CDU/CSU and SPD have completed preliminary consultations on forming a coalition

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) have completed preliminary talks on forming a coalition government. This was announced on Saturday, March 8, by Friedrich Merz, chairman of the CDU/CSU bloc in the Bundestag.

"We have reached an agreement on some issues. We have a big task ahead of us," the politician said at a press conference, quoted by the German magazine Focus.

According to Merz, mutual understanding was reached on a number of issues. In turn, the co-chairman of the SPD, Lars Klingbeil, pointed out that the consultations were held in a constructive manner. The politicians said that the coalition talks could take place next week.

They also raised several important issues during the press conference, including the need to recycle the monetary system and migration.

Change of power: German elections won by the opposition CDU/CSU party

Friedrich Merz will be the new chancellor.

Early elections to the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, were held in Germany on February 23. As expected, the CDU/CSU opposition bloc won, gaining almost 28.6% of the vote. The second place was taken by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party with 20.8%.

The Social Democratic Party of the current Chancellor Olaf Scholz took the third place with 16.4%. The Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Sarah Wagenknecht Union for Reason and Justice (SSV) failed to enter the Bundestag.