‘Grand coalition’ deal sealed in Germany

Series Title
Series Details 27.11.13
Publication Date 27/11/2013
Content Type

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives (CDU / CSU) and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) reached a deal early on the 27 November 2013 on forming a 'grand coalition' after extended final negotiations, meaning Chancellor Merkel should be able to form a government by the end of December 2013.

French President Francois Hollande and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy welcomed the formation of a grand coalition government in Germany. Left-leaning Hollande praised plans for a minimum wage in particular.

The coalition agreement showed high awareness of European expectation for the new German government. Yet, the EU chapter of the deal read like a compulsory exercise buried under domestic policy, according to EurActiv.

The next step would come in December 2013. On the 6 December 2013 Members of the SPD party voted on the coalition contract. If a positive vote was received Mrs Merkel could be elected as the next Chancellor on 17 December 2013.

Some economists criticised some of the measures announced in the deal, namely the earlier retirement age and the introduction of a minimum wage in the country.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.euractiv.com/elections/grand-coalition-deal-sealed-germ-news-531980
Related Links
EUObserver, 27.11.13: German parties agree 'Grand Coalition' http://euobserver.com/political/122249
ESO: Background information: Coalition deal in Germany: ongoing negotiations http://www.europeansources.info/record/coalition-deal-in-germany-ongoing-negotiations/
BBC News, 27.11.13: German coalition: Merkel's party reaches deal with SPD http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25116115
Deutsche Welle, 27.11.13: Christian and Social Democrats agree on grand coalition government http://dw.de/p/1APB8
Deutsche Welle, 27.11.13: German coalition treaty gets mixed business reactions http://dw.de/p/1API6
ESO: Background information: German federal election, 2013 http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-federal-election-2013/
Deutsche Welle, 27.11.13: Germany's next step on path to new government http://dw.de/p/1APJk
EurActiv, 27.11.13: Coalition deal signals continuation of Merkel's EU policy http://www.euractiv.com/elections/coalition-deal-signals-continuat-news-531997
Euronews, 27.11.13: Germany gets new right-left coalition government http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/27/germany-gets-new-right-left-coalition-government/
Spiegel Online International, 27.11.13: Coalition Deal: Merkel Reaches Agreement on Next Government http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-reaches-agreement-to-form-new-german-government-a-935934.html
Spiegel Online International, 27.11.13: Grand Coalition: Having Their Cake and Eating It Too (Commentary) http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-coalition-agreement-offers-big-promises-and-few-reforms-a-935970.html
Die Tageszeitung, 27.11.13: ‘It’s a Graco’ (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/4356341-it-s-graco
Deutsche Welle, 27.11.13: German leaders sign 'grand coalition' agreement http://dw.de/p/1APRs
Deutsche Welle, 28.11.13: Spain's Rajoy and France's Hollande welcome German coalition deal http://dw.de/p/1APki
Deutsche Welle, 27.11.13: SPD member vote 'not brilliant but courageous' http://dw.de/p/1APP9
Deutsche Welle, 27.11.13: Something for everyone in coalition compromise http://dw.de/p/1APPI
Deutsche Welle, 27.11.13: Chancellor Merkel at the height of power http://dw.de/p/1APfU
Deutsche Welle, 28.11.13: Dual citizenship plan leaves Turks disappointed http://dw.de/p/1APlD
Deutsche Welle, 28.11.13: Economists criticize tame coalition deal http://dw.de/p/1APyT
Spiegel Online International, 28.11.13: World from Berlin: 'Germany No Longer a Role Model for Europe' http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-press-criticizes-social-spending-in-new-government-platforms-a-936162.html
Spiegel Online International, 29.11.13: Asylum Policy: New Coalition Cements Status Quo for Refugees http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-coalition-agreement-offers-few-improvements-to-asylum-policy-a-936325.html
Social Europe Journal, 29.11.13: Unintended Consequences: The Implications Of The German Coalition Agreement For Europe http://www.social-europe.eu/2013/11/german-coalition-agreement/
Euro|Topics, 28.11.13: Grand coalition in Germany ready to go http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/aeltere/NEWSLETTER-2013-11-28-Grand-coalition-in-Germany-ready-to-go
Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 02.12.13: With a coalition agreement finally reached, Angela Merkel’s grand coalition is now in the hands of SPD members http://bit.ly/18TofWp
Spiegel Online International, 06.12.13: The Deal Makers: Coalition Deal Shows Rising Clout of Lobbyists http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lobbyists-had-major-role-in-shaping-german-coalition-deal-a-936643.html
Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 09.12.13: The SPD’s ‘referendum’ on the German coalition agreement poses legitimate problems, but it could also reaffirm citizens’ confidence in party politics http://bit.ly/1bqAdmH
Deutsche Welle, 13.12.13: SPD members finish voting on grand coalition referendum http://dw.de/p/1AYcT
Policy Network: Opinion, 04.12.12: The German Grand coalition effect http://www.policy-network.net/pno_detail.aspx?ID=4538&title=The-German-Grand-coalition-effect

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