German parties end exploratory talks; coalition talks to begin

Berlin [Germany], March 9: German parties negotiating the country's next government following the February 23 election took the first step by concluding their exploratory discussions and agreeing to move forward with coalition talks.
The conservative bloc leader Friedrich Merz, seen as becoming Germany's next chancellor, and Social Democratic (SPD) leader Lars Klingbeil made the announcement in Berlin. Merz, who heads the CDU/CSU conservative bloc, said agreement had been reached on a whole range of substantive issues. A joint paper should be the basis for coalition negotiations, which could begin next week if necessary.
Merz said the two sides agreed that people who apply for asylum at the land borders are to be turned away in the future. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) together with its Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU) sister party and the SPD plan to reduce the electricity tax to ease the burden on companies and private households. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune