Germany German Christian Democrats and SPD negotiate big "chunks"
Now it's all about the really big compromises: As of today, the coalition talks between the CDU, CSU and SPD in Germany are being conducted by a 19-member group of top negotiators. Their task for the next few days is to clarify the major issues and determine which wishes can be financed. The result should be a coalition agreement and thus the agenda for a black-red German government.
28.03.2025, 18:48
SDA
"We must draw a common picture of how we envision the Federal Republic of Germany in the next ten years, what this country should look like," announced the presumed next Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) before the first meeting at the SPD headquarters.
Representatives of all three parties were optimistic that a result could be reached. SPD leader Lars Klingbeil emphasized: "We are aware of the magnitude of the task we have. We know that it is about forming a stable government in our country and we want it to work."
Big "chunks" open
There is a lot at stake when it comes to forming a government - because there are no alternatives to a black-red coalition if cooperation with the AfD is ruled out. "We have to be successful," emphasized CSU leader Markus Söder.
However, there are "still a few stumbling blocks" that they are now trying to clear out of the way together, said CDU leader Merz. According to the negotiators, it is about more than just transferring the proposals of the specialist working groups into a joint paper and resolving contentious issues.
"Stringing together many good demands does not make a coalition agreement," said Klingbeil. The top negotiators would also have to examine whether all of this was "big enough" in view of the challenges facing Germany.
Financial issues at the start
The first two days of talks on Friday and Saturday will focus on finances. This is probably where the Christian Democrats and SPD are still furthest apart: for example, on the question of whether top earners should pay higher taxes in future, how inheritances should be taxed and when the envisaged corporate tax reform should take effect.
"Of course, the focus is on finances," emphasized Klingbeil. "It is absolutely clear to us that we can only present a coalition agreement that is characterized by solid finances, by projects that we consider important and that are fully financed." The aim was to avoid the mistake made by the traffic light coalition, which had written down good things that were not financed.
"We will have to make extensive savings," Merz announced. On Thursday, CSU state group leader Alexander Dobrindt said on Maybrit Illner's ZDF program that it was not at all surprising that the working group for finance, taxes and the budget had been unable to reach an agreement. "It was also clear to everyone that this could only be negotiated in a top-level round." The SPD was in favor of increasing certain taxes, while the CDU/CSU wanted to reduce them, making a compromise "relatively difficult to find".
Second point of contention: migration
The decisions in the area of finance form the basis for what can be afforded in other areas. However, this is not the only issue where compromises still need to be found that will be painful for individual negotiators. "We need a fresh start on key issues of German politics," warned Merz. In addition to financial planning, he also mentioned curbing irregular migration.
The rejection of asylum seekers at the borders is a major point of contention, on which only a compromise formula has been found in the talks so far. According to this, refoulement should be possible "in coordination with our European neighbors". Opinions differ as to whether this means that neighboring states should only be informed of this procedure or must agree to it.
The working group has also left open whether the next German government will comply with the Christian Democrats' demand to allow asylum procedures outside the EU. Unlike the SPD, the Union negotiators also want to tighten up citizenship laws. It is to be examined whether "terror supporters, anti-Semites and extremists who call for the abolition of the free and democratic basic order" can have their German citizenship revoked if they have another nationality.
Negotiators show optimism
In view of the many unresolved issues, Merz must now demonstrate new negotiating skills. Originally, he had aimed to form a government by Easter at the latest. In the meantime, however, the CDU leader has moved away from the strict deadline and emphasized that quality takes precedence over speed when it comes to the coalition agreement.
SPD leader Saskia Esken put the brakes on the expectations of many politicians, even within her own ranks. The working groups had written down a "collection of very, very many ideas and very, very many wishes". "But it has to be said very clearly: our resources are limited. The legislative period is also limited. We are not writing a coalition agreement for the next 20 years," she emphasized.
However, all the protagonists are trying to be demonstratively optimistic: "We still have different views on a few points, but we will manage it together and we will achieve a good result in the end, I am sure of that," said Söder.
