Germany’s conservatives and Social Democrats are making progress in coalition talks, aiming to finalize a deal by April 20. Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz is pushing for stricter migration controls and reduced welfare spending, but the SPD has expressed concerns over how deep these changes could go.
The two parties have already agreed on a massive state borrowing program worth billions of euros, designed to boost economic growth and military capabilities. However, differences remain, particularly on migration and welfare issues. Merz’s tougher stance on migration is partly driven by the surge of far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has become the country’s second-largest party.
Merz has warned that Europe must act quickly to counter threats from Russia and a less reliable US ally. However, his borrowing plans have sparked criticism, with nearly three-quarters of Germans feeling deceived by the proposals. The SPD has emphasized the importance of substance over deadlines in coalition talks, as both sides seek to form a stable government ahead of the new parliament’s term beginning on Tuesday.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/merz-spd-try-narrow-differences-german-coalition-talks-2025-03-24