Merkel releases outline for the formation of a governing coalition

On Friday, Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, was able to compose an agreeable 28-page policy outline for a potential parliamentary coalition. The document covers key issues such as taxes, the Eurozone, and migration.

The breakthrough comes at a fortunate time for Merkel, whose party lost ground in September 2017 elections. A recent poll by YouGov showed that half of German voters wanted Merkel to resign. Many in her own party, the Christian Democratic Union, blame her for the election results.

However, both Merkel and Social Democratic Party leader Martin Schulz optimistically described the draft document as a “fresh start” for Germany. The European Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, was also pleased with the parties’ agreement, saying it was “very significant” and “positive.”

The pact calls for the limitation of asylum seekers in Germany to about 200,000 a year, and to make collaborating with France to limit Eurozone migration. The parties also agreed to cut taxes on education, home-building, and research. Additionally, the pact includes a plan to end weapons exports to countries involved in the Yemen War. Finally, the document makes EU accession for Turkey less likely.

Formal talks for the creation of a new coalition government will be based on this pact, and Merkel’s people hope to establish such a coalition by April.

Title Image: German Chancellor Angela Merkel Martin Schulz shaking hands before their TV debate in Berlin in September. Photo: Reuters

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