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The centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) led by Olaf Scholz were always at a striking distance of gaining power after the party inked ahead of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) led by Angela Merkel.
With Merkel stepping down after 16 straight years in power, it was widely considered that her finance minister Scholz had the best chance of becoming the Chancellor. But there were a few bumps on the road before it could happen. He had to strike an alliance with the unlikeliest of partners. Scholz has finally achieved that. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59399702)
Almost two months after his party won the most number of seats in the parliament, he has struck a deal with the Greens and business-friendly Free Democrats. Scholz has kept the promise of forming the government before Christmas.
Negotiations with the environmentalist Greens and the business-friendly Free Democrats on the opposite sides of the spectrum have been anything but smooth. There was also the possibility of Merkel's party trying to form a government.
Then there was also the talk of "grand coalition"βboth the largest parties coming together, as it happened under Merkel. But that got ruled out within days of the election results, with both Scholz and Armin Laschet of the Christian Democrats eyeing the Chancellor's post. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58712619)
Greens have extracted their pound of the flesh, which is evident from the reports that climate protection is one of the cornerstones of the power sharing agreement. One of them is to phase out coal by 2030, well before the schedule. Three will also be renewed efforts to increase green energy. Sale of cannabis could be legalised too. (https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/24/olaf-scholz-replaces-angela-merkel-as-german-chancellor.html)
Proposals to vow the Free Democrats include building 400,000 new houses a year to fight a housing crisis, lowering the voting age to 16 and creating a points-based immigration system to attract qualified workers.
If everything goes fine, Scholz will be elected as Chancellor by the Bundestag in the second week of December.
Read more:
Germany's SPD, FDP and Greens unveil governing coalition deal:
https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-spd-fdp-and-greens-unveil-governing-coalition-deal/a-59915201
Scholz- A profile:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/11/24/olaf-scholz-embodiment-boredom-politics/