Auf wiedersehen Angela as three-way coalition signs governing pact
BERLIN, (Reuters) - Social Democrat Olaf Scholz announced a deal to form a new governing coalition in Germany yesterday that aims to modernise Europe's largest economy, accelerate the green transition and bring the curtain down on the Angela Merkel era.
The alliance, the first at federal level between the ideologically disparate Greens, the libertarian Free Democrats (FDP) and Scholz's centre-left SPD, ends 16 years of Merkel-led conservative governments.
The three parties enjoy a majority in the lower house of parliament and hope the government will be sworn in early next month after they ratify the 177-page coalition pact.
Named after the parties' respective colours, the traffic light will usher in a new era of relations with Europe, and plans to speed up digitalisation of the continent's biggest economy while maintaining fiscal discipline.
At a news conference in Berlin, flanked by the FDP and Greens leaders, Scholz recalled that when the first traffic light was erected at the city's Potsdamer Platz in 1924, many questioned whether it could work.
"Today, the traffic light is indispensable when it comes to regulating things clearly and providing the right orientation and ensuring that everyone moves forward safely and smoothly, " he said.
"My ambition as chancellor is that this traffic light alliance will play a similarly groundbreaking role for Germany."
Merkel leaves big shoes to fill. She has navigated Germany and Europe through multiple crises and been a champion of liberal democracy in the face of rising authoritarianism worldwide.