Union and SPD Seal Coalition Deal Amid Internal CDU Debate

The Union and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) have successfully negotiated a coalition agreement following the recent Bundestag elections. This agreement is set to shape Germany's political landscape, with significant reforms planned in the areas of migration, economy, and defense. While the SPD is poised to take control of the Finance and Defense Ministries, the Union will oversee the Interior and Foreign Ministries.

Despite the successful negotiations, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) faces internal challenges. Some CDU members express concerns over the coalition agreement potentially leaning too heavily towards SPD positions. This has led to calls for greater internal party democracy, with suggestions for a member vote on the coalition deal to ensure broader consensus within the party. However, the CDU's current rules stipulate that such decisions are made by a smaller party committee, not the full membership.

This coalition comes amid a backdrop of global economic challenges and rising domestic political competition from the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has gained ground in recent polls. The CDU's leader, Friedrich Merz, aims to tackle these challenges with plans for tax cuts and bureaucracy reduction. He could be elected chancellor by May if the coalition agreement is ratified.

The coalition must now be formally approved by the respective parties. The SPD plans a member vote, while the CDU and CSU will rely on internal party committees for ratification. The new government is expected to address pressing issues such as infrastructure investment and climate protection, underlining the coalition's commitment to navigating both domestic and international pressures.