Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) voted decisively for another coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives on Sunday, clearing the way for a new government in Europe’s largest economy after months of political uncertainty. Two-thirds of the membership voted “yes” to the deal—a wider margin than many had expected—meaning Merkel could be sworn in for a fourth term as early as the middle of the month in a repeat of the grand coalition that has governed since 2013, Reuters reported.
Congratulating the SPD for its “clear result”, Merkel said using her CDU party's Twitter account that she was looking forward to “further cooperation for the good of our country”.
Macron hailed the development as “good news for Europe”. Acting SPD leader Olaf Scholz announced the result to applause from activists lining the balconies around the atrium of the party’s Berlin headquarters early on Sunday.
