Overview

• Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU, is set to become Germany's next Chancellor on May 6, pending formal ratification of the coalition agreement.
• Merz announced plans to take a brief vacation after months of rigorous election campaigning and coalition negotiations.
• The coalition contract between CDU, SPD, and CSU has been finalized but awaits internal approval by the CDU and SPD; the CSU has already ratified it.
• The SPD will conduct a two-week membership consultation starting Tuesday, while the CDU will hold a small party meeting to finalize their approval.
• Merz described the coalition negotiations as calmer than public perception suggested, crediting CSU leader Markus Söder for fostering a positive atmosphere.