Coalition agreement reached
CDU, CSU and SPD have concluded a coalition agreement for the 18th Legislative Period.
The CDU/CSU and the SPD, which came out of the Bundestag election on
22 September 2013 as the strongest political parties, concluded a coalition agreement for the 18th Legislative Period in the early morning of
27 November 2013. Party chairs Angela Merkel (CDU), Horst Seehofer (CSU) and Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) presented the key points of the 185-page agreement entitled “Shaping Germany’s Future” in Berlin.
On foreign policy the new coalition is committed to a strong Europe, the transatlantic partnership and taking responsibility in the world. “European integration remains Germany’s most important task,” says the agreement. It adds: “We want to do everything we can to ensure that Europe comes out of the current crisis stronger than before.” Special emphasis is placed on youth unemployment. “The fight against youth unemployment must be a priority of European policy. Europe must not let down these young people, who in many cases are very well trained.”
Until the last moment there was contention between the coalition partners about road charges for cars, a minimum wage, dual citizenship and questions relating to the transformation of the energy system. The coalition agreement envisages the following goals on these points:
Car tolls: In order to realize addition funding for the maintenance and expansion of the autobahn network, owners of cars that are not registered in Germany are to be charged a reasonable amount (road toll sticker) under the proviso that no vehicle owner in Germany will bear a higher financial burden than at present. The details of any arrangement will comply with EU law. An appropriate law is to be passed in the course of 2014.
Minimum wage: A universal statutory minimum wage of 8.50 euros gross per hour will be introduced by law nationwide from 1 January 2015. Deviations from the law will be possible under certain circumstances for a maximum of two years until 31 December 2016.
Dual citizenship: The children of foreign parents who were born and grew up in Germany will no longer be compelled to opt for one citizenship in the future and multiple citizenship will be accepted. Otherwise, current citizenship law remains unchanged.
Energy transformation: The Renewable Energies Act (EEG) will be reformed by summer 2014. The expansion of renewable energies and existing climate protection targets, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2020 (compared to the level in 1990), will remain in place.
Before the new Federal Government can get down to work, however, the SPD grassroots will have to approve the coalition agreement in a membership ballot. The result is to be announced by 15 December 2013.