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New Era Dawns: CDU/CSU/SPD Coalition Set to Govern Germany

After a tumultuous six months following the collapse of the "traffic light" coalition, Germany stands on the cusp of a new political chapter. The formation of a grand coalition between the CDU/CSU and the SPD is poised to be finalized, ushering in a period of potentially significant policy shifts and a reshaped political landscape. All eyes are on the Bundestag, where CDU leader Friedrich Merz is scheduled to stand for election as Chancellor this morning, marking a pivotal moment in German politics.

The parliamentary session, commencing at 9:00 AM, is expected to confirm Merz as the head of the new government. While the coalition’s majority of 316 votes, just twelve above the required threshold, might appear slender, confidence within both the CDU/CSU and the SPD remains high. The leaders of both parties have publicly expressed their assurance that the vote will proceed smoothly and that all coalition members will support Merz’s candidacy.

"Every single member will be on board on Tuesday," Merz stated confidently on Monday, underscoring the unity within his ranks. Lars Klingbeil, the SPD chief and designated Vice-Chancellor, echoed this sentiment, saying of his parliamentary group, "I anticipate we will be complete, and I anticipate that everyone will vote yes." This unified front aims to dispel any doubts about the stability of the nascent coalition.

Despite the prevailing optimism, contingency plans are in place should the initial vote fail to secure the necessary majority. Subsequent rounds of voting would be conducted, but the widespread expectation is that these will be unnecessary. If all proceeds as planned, the appointment process will move swiftly. Merz, along with his cabinet of 17 ministers, will be formally appointed by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and subsequently sworn in by the Bundestag before the day is out. This series of events will effectively restore a fully functional government, backed by a clear majority in the Bundestag, capable of addressing the pressing issues facing the nation.

The new government intends to hit the ground running. The inaugural cabinet meeting is scheduled for this evening at 6:00 PM. One of the first priorities of the black-red coalition is to fulfill a key pledge from their coalition agreement: a drastic reduction in the number of special envoys, commissioners, and coordinators. According to a proposal obtained by the German Press Agency, 25 of these positions are slated for elimination. This streamlining of governmental roles is intended to improve efficiency and reduce bureaucratic overhead. Reports from "Politico" and the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" first highlighted this planned measure. The targeted positions include those responsible for maritime affairs, cycling policy, feminist foreign policy, the "planning of the turning point" (likely referring to defense policy shifts), and international climate policy. These proposed cuts signal a potential shift in policy priorities under the new government.

Beyond these internal administrative changes, significant attention will be focused on the policies of the incoming Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt. The CSU politician has promised decisive action to curb irregular migration into Germany. "The first decisions will be made after taking office this Wednesday. Border controls will be stepped up, and deportations will be increased," Dobrindt declared in an interview with "Bild am Sonntag." This stance suggests a hardening of Germany’s approach to immigration policy, a topic that has been intensely debated in recent years.

Adding to the already busy schedule, Chancellor-designate Merz will undertake his first official visits to neighboring France and Poland on the same day. However, the planned tightening of border controls is unlikely to be warmly received in Warsaw. The Polish government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, is anticipated to raise concerns about the potential disruption to cross-border traffic and trade. This issue is certain to be a prominent topic of discussion during Merz’s meeting with Tusk.

The formal handover of power at the Chancellery is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, immediately following the swearing-in of the new cabinet. The outgoing Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, served for a total of 1,245 days. On Monday evening, Scholz was honored with a traditional "Großer Zapfenstreich," a grand military tattoo, on the parade ground of the Ministry of Defence. Merz was present as the Bundeswehr’s staff music corps played a selection of music for the departing Chancellor, including songs by the Beatles, Bach, and the soul classic "Respect."

Numerous dignitaries and close associates from Scholz’s three years in office attended the ceremony, including his wife, Britta Ernst. However, one notable figure was absent: Christian Lindner, the former Finance Minister and FDP leader, whose dismissal by Scholz amid a bitter dispute over the federal budget ultimately precipitated the collapse of the traffic light coalition. Lindner cited "paternal duties" as the reason for his absence, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that "my absence has no political background."

In his farewell address, Scholz characterized the impending change of government as "an expression of democratic normality." He emphasized the peaceful and respectful nature of the transition, stating that "it is by no means normal in these times that such a change takes place as civilized, as collegial, and as decently as we are experiencing it here in Germany these days." Scholz will now transition from the Chancellery to the back benches of the Bundestag, where he intends to serve out his term as a directly elected member of parliament for his constituency of Potsdam. This move underscores his commitment to representing his constituents and continuing to contribute to German politics, even from a different position. The shift marks the end of one era and the beginning of another, as Germany navigates a new political course under the leadership of Friedrich Merz and the CDU/CSU/SPD coalition. The challenges ahead are significant, but the new government appears determined to tackle them head-on.