A strong government is back in Germany as conservatives under Friedrich Merz reach a deal with the Social Democrats to govern Europe’s biggest economy.
After five months of political limbo, Germany‘s conservatives under Friedrich Merz have reached a deal with the Social Democrats to govern Europe’s biggest economy. The agreement aims to create a strong government capable of action, sending ‘a strong and clear signal‘ to Germans and the EU.
Germany operates under a multi-party system, with several political parties represented in the Bundestag.
The main parties include the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), 'multi-party' , Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), Alternative for Germany (AfD), and Free Democratic Party (FDP).
The CDU and SPD have traditionally dominated German politics, often forming a grand coalition.
However, the rise of the AfD has led to increased fragmentation in the party system.
The coalition parties have been under intense pressure to put an end to Germany‘s political limbo since Merz‘s Christian Democrats won federal elections in February. The new government will focus on migration, the economy, and defence, with a promise to reform and stabilise Germany. This includes measures to ‘control and largely end irregular migration‘ and impose border controls.
One significant part of the coalition deal is for defence spending to be increased, aiming to follow a ‘Swedish model‘ of voluntary military service. Although there will be no conscription, Merz said the coalition hopes to achieve an expansion of the Bundeswehr [German armed forces] with enough volunteers. The government also promised comprehensive support to Ukraine.
The German military, known as the Bundeswehr, has a long history dating back to the post-World War II era.
With a total personnel strength of over 180,000 soldiers, it is one of the largest armed forces in Europe.
Germany's defense budget accounts for approximately 1.4% of its GDP, with a significant focus on modernizing its equipment and capabilities.
The country has made significant contributions to international peacekeeping efforts, including deployments to Afghanistan and Mali.
Although his government will feature almost entirely new names, there will be continuity at the defence ministry, with Boris Pistorius expected to remain in post. This marks the fifth so-called grand coalition (GroKo) since World War Two, but the parties were at pains to say it would not be like any previous government.
Merz said he was confident that the coalition deal would be approved by their respective parties and they would be able to get to work in early May. The new parliament will elect him as chancellor after a week starting 5 May, with a 13-seat majority expected to give him no problem.
