Merkel, SPD agree on coalition model
CHANCELLOR Angela Merkel struck a deal with Social Democrat (SPD) rivals yesterday to open government coalition talks, easing months of uncertainty that has undermined Germany’s global role and raised questions about her political future.
But the deal to revive a “grand coalition” that has governed since 2013 must be approved by SPD party members at a congress planned for Sunday, January 21. Some fear further association with Mrs Merkel’s chancellorship could erode the influence of the SPD which suffered the worst result in September’s election since the modern Federal Republic was founded in 1949.
“We have felt since the elections that the world will not wait for us, and in particular regarding Europe we are convinced we need a new call for Europe,” Mrs Merkel, who has played a central role in tackling crises over the euro and refugees, told journalists after talks that had run through the night.
A 28-page blueprint pledged close co-operation with France to strengthen the eurozone. It also contained a promise, apparently targeting Saudi Arabia, a major buyer of German arms, not to export arms to countries involved in the war in Yemen. Weakened by an election setback in September, Mrs Merkel turned to the left-leaning SPD to renew their grand coalition after the collapse in November of talks on a threeway coalition with the Greens and Free Democrats (FDP).
Germany is unfamiliar with the long negotiations that mark coalition building in many neighbouring countries. The dominance of the SPD and the conservatives long ensured smooth government transition. But elections last Sep- tember saw the rise of the rightwing Alternative for Germany which upset the arithmetic.
Mrs Merkel was eager to avoid any repeat elections or attempt at a minority government.
“There will be difficult tasks to come,” Mrs Merkel said. “The coalition negotiations probably won’t be easier than the exploratory talks.”
Horst Seehofer, head of the Bavarian sister party of Mrs Merkel’s Christian Democrats, said a government could be in place by Easter.
As Europe’s largest economy and pre-eminent power broker, Germany is crucial to the region’s fortunes. Berlin’s partners are eagerly awaiting a new government to help drive forward Brexit talks, eurozone reform and EU diplomatic initiatives.
European Commission President Jean- Claude Juncker, speaking in Sofia, described the deal as a huge benefit for Europe.
On the domestic front the blueprint, open to revision, foresaw tax relief for citizens of 10 billion euros over the three years to 2021 as well as extra spending on home-building, education and research.
The blueprint showed the two parties aimed to gradually abolish the “solidarity tax” introduced after reunification in 1990 to support poorer eastern states.
On foreign policy, it said they would introduce further limits on arms exports and immediately end arms sales to countries involved in the Yemen conflict. They would also rein in progress in EU accession talks with Turkey.
The blueprint also foresaw Germany generating 65 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2030.