The CDU and the Socialists agree on 16 working groups to negotiate the “Grand Coalition” in Germany
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) have reached an agreement to divide formal negotiations aimed at forming a new “grand coalition” in Germany into 16 distinct working groups. At present, no specific timeline has been set for concluding these talks or reaching final agreements.
According to the arrangement, each of these 16 working groups will consist of 16 members, with six representatives from the CDU, three from its Bavarian sister party (CSU), and the remaining seven from the SPD. This means a total of 256 individuals will be involved in drafting and shaping the future government’s political program. These groups will focus on various key policy areas, including economic, social, and environmental issues, among others.
The formal negotiations are set to begin this Thursday at the CDU’s central headquarters in Berlin. These group discussions are expected to continue over the course of ten days, during which each group will delve into the various policy matters they are tasked with. While the discussions are set to be intense and detailed, there is little clarity on the specific outcomes or deadlines, as only a broad framework has been agreed upon so far.
A supervisory committee has been established to oversee the progress of the talks and ensure that the negotiations remain on track. Despite the absence of a concrete roadmap, both the CDU and SPD are under significant pressure to reach an agreement to avoid the risk of calling for new elections. This agreement between the two major political parties comes after months of uncertainty following the recent election results, and both sides understand that failing to form a coalition would be detrimental to their respective parties and the country as a whole.
Given the complexity of the negotiations and the number of policy areas being addressed, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future political direction of Germany. With the clock ticking, both parties are eager to finalize their agreements and present a unified front to the German electorate, signaling stability and continuity in government.
