Government by Easter?

Merz pushes the pace, SPD slows down

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and SPD party leader Lars Klingbeil(Bild: APA/AFP/Ronny HARTMANN)

Election winner Friedrich Merz faces the challenge of forming a stable German government. The target is Easter. Despite the SPD's poor performance, party leader Lars Klingbeil is confident and is putting the brakes on.

The Social Democrats are prepared to take responsibility - but only if Merz changes course and tone significantly, is one of the demands of the party that is still chancellor. The SPD is also calling for more money for employees, stable pensions and billions in investment, for example in the Bundeswehr.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz is convinced that a stable grand coalition can be built.(Bild: APA/AP)

Dispute over debt brake
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) is demanding an exception in order to equip the Bundeswehr with a budget of over 100 billion euros. CDU politician Thorsten Frei strictly rejects this: the debt brake, which would have to be suspended for this, is an important part of a sound financial policy. CSU leader Markus Söder, meanwhile, is willing to compromise, but sees "big issues" that need to be negotiated - such as migration policy.

Merz wants to "intensify" talks in the coming days
The first meeting between Merz and former Chancellor Olaf Scholz took place on Tuesday. It was probably about possible resolutions in the Bundestag that still need to be passed during the transition phase. Merz wants to "intensify" the talks in the coming days, the CDU leader explained on the fringes of the constituent parliamentary group meeting of the two CDU/CSU parties.