Smooth handshake between CDU/CSU and SPD

The Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Germany have passed preliminary negotiations to prepare to enter the formal negotiation stage to form a coalition government.

Leaders of the CSU, CDU and SPD parties attend a press conference after exploratory talks between the CDU/CSU and SPD at the German parliament in Berlin, March 8. (Source: AP)

Having been linked together in the past, most recently under former Chancellor Angela Merkel until 2021, it is understandable that the CDU/CSU and SPD would join hands, especially when their opponent, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), won second place in the election in late February 2025 with more than 20% of the vote.

It seems that things are going well. In preliminary talks, the CDU/CSU and the SPD have reached agreement on a comprehensive fiscal package, including a special fund worth 500 billion euros over the next 10 years to invest in infrastructure. The two parties also found common ground on the need to amend the rules limiting national borrowing to free up more resources to help Germany pull out of recession.

Moving into the economic sphere, the tax stalemate was resolved when the two sides agreed on a plan to ease the burden on middle-class households, cut electricity bills and permanently reduce VAT on food in restaurants. Agreement was also reached on a minimum wage of €15 an hour and a stable pension scheme.

Even on the divisive issue of immigration, the two sides have found a compromise. While the CDU/CSU have accepted the SPD's position on the need to shorten the time it takes to process applications for German citizenship for eligible candidates, the SPD has dropped its opposition to the CDU/CSU's tough stance on illegal immigration.

With such a smooth handshake, Germany is expected to have a new government by Easter, April 20, with Chancellor Friedrich Mer, leader of the CDU. The only remaining issue is how to divide the seats appropriately among the parties in the coalition government.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/chinh-truong-ng-duc-cai-bat-tay-suon-se-giua-cducsu-va-spd-307410.html