(Adnkronos) – Talks between the Cdu/Csu and the Spd to form a coalition government in Germany will continue next week. The news was reported by the Dpa, citing a leading parliamentarian from the conservative bloc formed by Christian Democrats and Christian Socialists. Friedrich Merz, likely future chancellor, had said immediately after the February 23 elections that he wanted to see a new government in place by Easter.
The protracted negotiations have been criticized by business leaders, and the delegates involved in the negotiations are now also under pressure from Donald Trump’s announcement on tariffs, which reinforces the need for a fully functioning government. But the solution does not seem to be around the corner; Thorsten Frei, a senior Cdu official, did not want to hide today, ahead of the next round of negotiations, that “there is still a long way to go.” “I therefore expect that we will end up next week.” However, the two sides have made progress and are “getting closer to each other,” Frei added. “Now it’s a matter of removing the obstacles.”
Financial issues are believed to be the main sticking point, with the Cdu/Csu bloc committed to budget cuts, while the Spd is trying to protect social spending. For Alexander Dobrindt of the Csu, however, the talks are “slowly approaching the final bend.” “Great progress will be made today and over the weekend.”
