Germany is set to form a new government after the Social Democratic Party (SPD) approved the coalition agreement. Media reports indicate that Lars Klingbajl will become the future Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance.
Following the approval by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU), the SPD has also ratified the agreement to form a red-black coalition government in Germany.
According to the party, 84.6% of members voted in favor, while 15.4% voted against. Voter turnout for the midnight vote was 56%, well above the required minimum turnout of 20%.
With the coalition agreement now approved, nothing stands in the way of its signing. The CSU presidency and the CDU’s small party congress have already given their consent.
Since April 15, 358,000 SPD members have been able to vote online on the extensive 144-page document titled “Responsibility for Germany.”
Within the SPD, the main criticisms were directed at the planned tightening of migration and social policies under the coalition agreement. The SPD youth wing (Jusos) rejected the agreement and called for new negotiations.
However, the only alternatives to this coalition would be a partnership between the Christian Democrats and the AfD, a minority government, or new elections.
Lars Klingbajl – Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance
SPD leader Lars Klingbajl is set to become Vice Chancellor in the new federal government. According to ARD, this decision was made at a meeting of the party’s presidency. It is also likely that Klingbajl will take on the role of Minister of Finance.
At 47 years old, Klingbajl has been the SPD president since late 2021 and previously served as the party’s General Secretary. He hails from Zoltau in Lower Saxony and, as of February this year, also leads the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag.
It is almost certain that Boris Pistorius will remain Minister of Defense. Pistorius has developed a clear political profile during the war against Ukraine, and he is expected to continue in this role.
Formation of the New German Government
The coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU, and SPD is expected to be officially signed on Monday at noon. The SPD plans to present its list of ministers on the same day.
Current Labor Minister Hubertus Heil may be replaced by former Bundestag President Bärbel Bas. Other candidates for the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs include SPD co-chair Saskia Esken and Saxony’s Minister for Social Affairs Petra Kipping.
Svenja Schulze could retain her position as Minister for Development Cooperation. If Esken chooses to join the cabinet, this ministry may be assigned to her.
For the Ministry of Environment and Climate, SPD Secretary General Matthias Mirsch is mentioned as a possible candidate, though Svenja Schulze could also shift to this role. Other potential candidates include Katja Mast, the SPD parliamentary group leader, and Verena Huberc, deputy leader of the SPD parliamentary group.
For the position of Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Karsten Schneider, the previous Commissioner for Eastern Germany, is a potential candidate to succeed Clara Gajewicz.
In the Justice and Consumer Protection Ministry, Brandenburg MP and judge Sonja Eichwede is a possible candidate.
May 6: Chancellor Election and Oath of Office
On Tuesday, CDU leader Friedrich Merz is expected to be elected Chancellor. The federal president proposes the Chancellor, who is elected through a secret ballot in the Bundestag. Merz will need a majority of votes in the Bundestag—at least 316 votes. Following the election, Merz will receive the appointment decree from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Belvedere Castle. After returning to the Bundestag, the new Chancellor will take the oath of office.
Ministers are also expected to take their oaths in the Bundestag on the same day. While ministers are not elected by the Bundestag, they receive their appointment decrees from the federal president before taking the oath in parliament. This will mark the official start of the new federal government.
