German SPD Backs Coalition, Paving Way for Chancellor Merz

Friedrich Merz in Berlin on April 28.Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

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By Michael Nienaber

April 30, 2025 at 3:34 AM EDT

Updated on

April 30, 2025 at 6:49 AM EDT

Germany’s Social Democrats backed the coalition deal with Friedrich Merz’s conservatives, clearing the way for the center-right leader to be confirmed as chancellor next week.

About 85% of SPD members who participated in the online ballot voted in favor of the blueprint for government agreed this month with Merz’s CDU/CSU alliance, the party said Wednesday in Berlin.