Merkel welcomes SPD vote for coalition deal, vows to work for Germany, Europe

The German chancellor on Monday vowed to ensure her new cabinet will work for the citizens of Germany, providing the country with a strong voice in Europe and standing alongside France when facing global challenges such as international trade.


During a press conference in Berlin, Angela Merkel extended her congratulations to the Social Democratic Party for its recent internal ballot, in which members backed a third edition of the so-called Grand Coalition between her conservative Christian Democratic Union, the CDU's Bavarian partner, the Christian Social Union, and the SPD.

"I welcome the result of the SPD's membership vote," Merkel said. "I believe this constitutes a very, very good foundation for a joint government work."

With the German parliament likely voting her fourth term as chancellor on Mar. 14, Merkel said that "we need Europe, we need a strong German voice," to work along with France and other European partners to face issues such as the Syrian war, China's competitive challenge or the new guidelines on international trade.
 EFE/EPA
 5/3/18