Germany’s centrist parties reach coalition deal. AfD doubles support in wake of election

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GERMANY’S CENTRIST PARTIES STRIKE COALITION DEAL AS RIGHT-WING AFD SURGES

Germany’s 2 traditional centrist parties, the CDU and SPD, have reached a coalition agreement, ending weeks of tense negotiations following February’s federal election.

CDU leader and designated chancellor Friedrich Merz secured a first-place finish but fell short of a majority, forcing coalition talks with the center-left SPD after the collapse of the previous government last November.

The urgency to strike a deal intensified as the AfD broke even with the CDU in recent polls, nearly doubling its support and shaking the foundations of Germany’s postwar political consensus.

The coalition pact is expected to restore some stability to Germany’s leadership, but it also reveals how much political ground the center has lost to rising populist forces.

Source: CNN, Reuters