Merkel welcomes German govt deal, wants to dive into work
BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday welcomed the Social Democrats’ vote in favour of a new ruling coalition and said “it’s important that as government we start quickly with our work.”
Merkel spoke to reporters in Berlin a day after the centre-left Social Democrats voted overwhelmingly to remain in a coalition with Merkel’s conservatives, giving her the support needed to secure a fourth term as the leader of Europe’s most powerful economy.
Parliament is expected to meet March 14 to re-elect Merkel as chancellor, ending the longest time Germany has been without a new government after an election in its postwar history. The national election was Sept. 24.
“Almost six months after election day, the people in Germany have the right that something is happening and that we implement what we have said we would do,” Merkel said.