Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz, vows coalition govt will 'move our country forward again'
Talks between the conservatives and the Social Democrats resumed after long, and inconclusive, negotiations on Tuesday
- The negotiations began shortly after February 23 snap elections with a sense of urgency amid a host of global and domestic challenges
- Friedrich Merz from the Christian Democrats appears set to become the next German chancellor in May
Responding to questions after their speeches, the coalition partners were asked what their message would be to US President Donald Trump in the wake of trade tariffs imposed on the EU.
"A key message to Donald Trump is, Germany is back on track," said chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz, replying in English to a question from DW political editor Michaela Kuefner.
Merz said Germany was ready to strengthen its defense spending, something Trump has maintained is necessary, but also that Berlin wanted to improve its competitiveness from the point of view of trade.
"That is also the European Union. And Germany will be once again a very strong partner in the European Union and we will bring the European Union forward," he said.
"I fully agree," Social Democrat co-leader Lars Klingbeil briefly added in English.
In his response, CSU leader Markus Söder quipped, "I'll be back," referring to the catchphrase of Arnold Schwarzenegger's character in the Terminator movies.
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-cdu-csu-and-spd-announce-coalition-government-deal/live-72180120
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