Germany Edges Closer to Coalition Government as Merz Pushes for Defense and Economic Reforms

Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz seeks to finalize a coalition with the SPD, focusing on military spending, economic recovery, and migration policies.

Friedrich Merz's CDU/CSU bloc and the SPD have concluded exploratory talks, moving toward formal coalition negotiations to form Germany's next government by mid-April.
Key proposals include €500 billion for infrastructure and defense spending, requiring constitutional amendments to bypass strict borrowing rules.
Merz has proposed discussions with France and Britain on nuclear weapons sharing to strengthen European defense, complementing the U.S. nuclear shield.
The coalition agreement includes stricter border controls, measures to reduce irregular migration, and tougher deportation policies to counter the rise of the far-right AfD.
Economic plans aim to revive growth with tax cuts, energy cost reductions, and support for industries like semiconductors and electric vehicles, alongside a €15 minimum wage.