Germany’s Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) are expected to finalize a coalition agreement by midday today, Wednesday April 9, according to a report from ARD, Germany’s public broadcaster.
On Tuesday night, leaks suggested that the negotiations were nearing a successful conclusion. However, ARD reported that the talks stretched into the early hours without a final deal being struck. Negotiations were set to resume at 9:30 a.m., with official announcements anticipated later in the day.
Sources within the CDU/CSU told ARD that party leader Friedrich Merz —who at 69 is widely expected to become Germany’s next chancellor — was preparing to brief his party’s leadership today on the progress of the coalition talks with the SPD.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU) secured 28.52% of the vote (208 seats) and is expected to form a government in coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD), who won 16.41% (120 seats).
Merz has faced mounting criticism from within his own party over what some see as excessive concessions to the SPD. He is also under growing pressure to deliver swift results, particularly in light of newly imposed U.S. tariffs, which have added urgency to the need for a stable government.
It remains unclear whether the coalition partners will be ready today not only to unveil their policy agreement but also to announce key appointments for cabinet positions. Furthermore, any deal reached will still require approval from SPD party members via an online vote.
Germany’s to be chancellor, who as noted, has no prior government experience, will also face the daunting task of bringing together a deeply polarized nation.
Amid the Easter holiday period, May 6 has been floated as the most likely date for Merz’s formal election as chancellor, according to reports from German news network n-tv.
