Scholz Takes Key Step in Bid to Become Germany’s Next Chancellor
- SPD, Greens and FDP agree to proceed to formal negotiations
- Move indicates the parties see enough common ground to govern
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Finance Minister Olaf Scholz cleared a major hurdle in his bid to succeed Angela Merkel as German chancellor, securing a preliminary commitment from his prospective partners to form a three-way coalition government.
His Social Democratic party, the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats on Friday agreed on the basic principles for a ruling alliance. The accord came remarkably quickly by German standards, with joint talks starting just a week ago. The parties will begin formal negotiations to hammer out the details as early as next week.