Germany's New Coalition: Merz to Lead 'GroKo 5.0'

CGTN Europe

Germany has a new government, and Christian-Democrat Friedrich Merz is set to become chancellor, leading a grand coalition between the CDU/CSU and SPD.  It’s a familiar formula — but in a very different political landscape, with the far-right AfD now the second-largest party in parliament. Here’s what you need to know.  #Germany #GermanPolitics #Bundestag #Merz #GroKo #Coalition #SPD #CDU #CSU #Afd

Transcript

00:01Germany has a new government and a new chancellor-in-waiting. After weeks of

00:05negotiations, the CDU and SPD have sealed a coalition agreement that brings back a

00:09familiar governing model, Große Koalition or Grand Coalition. Often called GroKo

00:15in Germany, this arrangement brings together the country's two largest

00:19parties. This latest GroKo is the fifth in German history, but this time it's a

00:24bit different. The Social Democratic SPD actually came third in February's

00:28election, behind not only the CDU but also the far-right AFD, which is now the

00:34second largest party in Parliament. CDU leader Friedrich Merz is set to become

00:39Germany's next chancellor. Pending final approval votes within both parties, Merz

00:44will face a Bundestag vote on May 7th, where he'll need 316 votes to be elected.

00:49The coalition holds 328 seats, just enough for a majority, though some dissent is

00:55already rumbling within both camps. The new coalition re-establishes a governing

01:00format that has steered Germany for 12 of the last 20 years, most notably under

01:04Angela Merkel.

01:06But Merz's leadership marks a clear break from Merkel's centrist, consensus-driven

01:10style. He brings a sharper tone on economic discipline, a tougher stance on

01:14migration, and a more assertive vision for Germany's role in Europe.

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