German parties agree to form a new government after months of drift in Europe's biggest economy

BERLIN (AP) — German election winner Friedrich Merz sealed a deal Wednesday to form a new government that aims to spur economic growth, ramp up defense spending, take a tougher approach to migration and catch up on long-neglected modernization.

The agreement paves the way for new leadership in the 27-nation European Union’s most populous member, which has Europe’s biggest economy. It follows months of political drift and weeks of negotiations as the continent faces uncertainty over the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs and its commitment to European allies’ defense.

Merz is on track to become Germany’s new leader in early May, replacing outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

https://apnews.com/article/germany-merz-new-government-coalition-merz-berlin-591d8dfc11836e282ca8871ff41d0ffa