The centrist CDU/CSU alliance and their coalition partner, the left-wing SPD, have formally signed their coalition deal on Monday, May 5, the day before Friedrich Merz is expected to be elected chancellor by the Bundestag.
The new left-wing ideology-heavy coalition has pledged to revive the struggling economy and bring political stability. Merz also promised to end pro-immigration policies and have a tougher stance on the issue, a promise he has already broken before even stepping into office.
The 144-page coalition contract titled “Responsibility for Germany” laid out a policy roadmap for the parties for the next four years. Soon-to-be chancellor Merz said after the signing that the new government “is determined to move Germany forward with reforms and investments” and also promised “a government whose voice is heard in Europe and the world.”
From the list of names for ministers, Germans will find people from the last administration, like defense minister Boris Pistorius, whose stance on Ukraine has convinced Merz to keep him in his position.
However, interior minister Nancy Faeser is not on the list. Last week, Germany’s intelligence service, the BfD, classified the largest opposition party, the populist AfD, as an “extremist” movement. It is not hard to link the move to Faeser, since the BfD is under the immediate control of the interior minister.
