Germany’s Social Democrats sign up for Merkel’s grand coalition

Members of Germany’s Social Democrats have decisively backed another grand coalition with Angela Merkel’s conservatives, ending almost six months of political uncertainty.

Social Democrat (SPD) leaders had faced stiff resistance from their radical youth wing, with many arguing the party should revive itself in opposition following last year’s disastrous election result. In the end, more than two-thirds of members voted in favour of joining another coalition with Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

That was “a wider margin than many had excepted”, Reuters says, meaning Merkel could be sworn in for a fourth term as early as the middle of the month, extending the coalition that has governed since 2013.

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The agreement, under which the SPD will take control of key ministries including finance, breaks months of political deadlock in Europe’s largest economy following an inconclusive election in September.

It comes at a crucial time for the EU, with the bloc looking to Germany for leadership on security and economic issues, and French President Emmanuel Macron seeking support for EU reform plans.

At home, Merkel has to find a way of combating the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which will be the largest parliamentary opposition party after securing its best-ever election result last year.

“For Europe (and Britain approaching Brexit), there will be little change” says Anne McElvoy in The Guardian. “Merkel signals emphatically in private that she sees the French president, Emmanuel Macron, as sharing her worldview, and will use her remaining time to consolidate that link.”