CDU/CSU and SPD discuss coalition

Berlin (dpa) - Five days after the Bundestag election, the CDU/CSU alliance and the SPD began exploratory talks on the possible formation of a “black-red” government on Friday. The meeting is aimed at identifying initial general positions and a timetable for coalition negotiations. CDU chairman and election victor Friedrich Merz has made it clear that he does not wish to waste any time and wants to form a government by Easter. The CDU/CSU bloc had comfortably won the Bundestag election, garnering 28.5 percent of the vote, while the SPD came third with 16.4 percent. Merz had already talked to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in the Federal Chancellery on Tuesday.

Scholz government to remain in office until new chancellor is elected

The current government, headed by Chancellor Scholz, will remain in power until the new parliament has elected a chancellor. This is the procedure stipulated in Germany’s Basic Law and has applied to all changes of government in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany. This means that Germany remains fully capable of action even during transition periods. Important decisions during this time are reached following informal agreement with the election victor. The new Bundestag must convene within 30 days after the election, though the government remains in office until a new chancellor has been elected.