The parties negotiating Germany’s next coalition government have reached an agreement in their exploratory talks. Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and its sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), will now enter into formal negotiations to form a government with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) of outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz. The CDU/CSU and SPD have agreed on various substantial issues, such as turning away undocumented migrants and asylum seekers at land borders, reducing the tax burden on middle-class households, and implementing a €15 per-hour minimum wage. Klingbeil, the co-leader of the SPD, said that his party was able to ensure that the recent reform of Germany’s citizenship law would remain in place. The exploratory talks also focused on tax policy, cuts to energy bills, and a permanent reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) on food in restaurants. The formal coalition negotiations are expected to begin next week if necessary.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-cdu-csu-and-spd-closer-to-coalition/a-71868076?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf