In Germany, the conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) announced that they have reached a coalition agreement to form a new federal government after weeks of negotiations.
Following the coalition agreement, Friedrich Merz of the CDU/CSU is expected to be elected Chancellor of Germany next month. Describing the agreement as “a strong plan to move our country forward again,” Merz told a press conference on Wednesday that it is also a clear indication that Germany has an effective and strong government again. Prior to the agreement, the CDU/CSU and SPD had succeeded in amending the Basic Law to loosen the “debt brake” restrictions in the Basic Law in order to increase investment in infrastructure and national defense. The new government will prioritize reform and investment to make Germany stable, more secure and economically strong again. Merz also emphasized that Europe can also rely on Germany. In order to increase economic competitiveness, the new coalition government aims to lower corporate tax and reduce the electricity tax to the minimum level in Europe. The new government will also change migration policies. In this context, measures will be taken to increase border controls, reject asylum applications and deport illegal immigrants.
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202504/09/WS67f64aeea3104d9fd381e664.html
