BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel cleared the last major hurdle on her path to a fourth term Sunday, after members of the centre-left Social Democrats voted in favour of continuing their governing coalition with her conservative bloc. “I congratulate the SPD on this clear result and look forward to continuing to work together for the good of our country,” Merkel’s party quoted her saying on Twitter. The Social Democrats had furiously debated whether to extend the so-called grand coalition of left and right for another four years after suffering a slump in last September’s election. In the next few days, the Social Democrats will put forward six names — three women and three men — to lead the ministries they will control in the upcoming coalition, he said. Fewer Social Democrats approved the deal this time round than in 2013, when 76 per cent backed a government with Merkel.

Source: National Post March 04, 2018 09:05 UTC