Germany’s center-right CDU/CSU alliance and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) have reached a coalition agreement to form a new government, public broadcaster ARD reported Wednesday. The deal comes following weeks of negotiations after the snap elections in February.
According to reports, party leaders finalized the agreement during late-night talks at CDU headquarters. A formal announcement is expected at a joint news conference later in the day. Under the deal, the Social Democrats will receive five of the fifteen Cabinet posts — including the key ministries of finance, justice, and defense — while the CDU/CSU will retain control of ten ministries, including interior and foreign affairs.
Social Democrat Boris Pistorius is expected to continue as defense minister, while veteran CDU politician Johann Wadephul is slated to take over the foreign ministry. The agreement sets the stage for CDU/CSU leader Friedrich Merz to be elected chancellor when the Bundestag votes on May 7.
Despite the SPD recording its worst-ever election result at 16.4%, it remains a pivotal coalition partner. Combined with the CDU/CSU’s 28.5%, the coalition will control 328 parliamentary seats — comfortably above the 316-seat threshold needed for a majority. The deal must still be approved internally by both parties before it can be finalized.
