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Germany’s CDU-CSU and SPD Reach Coalition Deal, Paving Way for Friedrich Merz to Become Chancellor
Germany is set to usher in a new era of leadership as the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), have reached a coalition agreement with the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD). The landmark deal follows weeks of negotiations and will be formally presented in a joint press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
Under the agreement, CDU leader Friedrich Merz is expected to become Germany’s next chancellor, succeeding Olaf Scholz and marking a significant political shift in Europe’s largest economy. The coalition ends a period of uncertainty and political drift that followed the closely watched federal elections held in February.
Merz’s CDU-CSU Union bloc emerged as the strongest force in the elections, but without a clear majority. In the aftermath, Merz initiated talks with the SPD to secure a stable parliamentary coalition capable of forming a government.
“We have reached a comprehensive agreement that reflects both our common goals and the diverse perspectives of our parties,” Merz said in a brief statement ahead of the official announcement. “Our focus now is on delivering strong, effective governance for Germany at home and abroad.”
The three parties are scheduled to unveil the full coalition deal during a press conference at 3:00 p.m. Central European Time. The agreement will outline the policy framework and key cabinet positions, and is expected to prioritize economic stability, energy transition, digital infrastructure, and Germany’s role in the European Union.
The SPD, led by outgoing Chancellor Scholz, has signaled its willingness to compromise to ensure political stability. Although the party suffered losses in the recent elections, it remains a major force in German politics and will likely retain several key ministries in the new coalition government.
“The people of Germany expect us to act responsibly and work together,” said an SPD spokesperson. “This coalition is the result of constructive dialogue and mutual respect.”
The coalition formation marks a return to a so-called “grand coalition,” reminiscent of earlier CDU-SPD partnerships that governed Germany for much of the past two decades. However, political analysts note that this iteration is taking shape under markedly different global and domestic conditions — including ongoing economic challenges, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and evolving voter expectations.
With the coalition agreement now in place, the Bundestag is expected to confirm Merz’s appointment as chancellor in the coming days. Once sworn in, he will face the immediate challenge of navigating Germany through global economic uncertainties and accelerating the country’s energy transition.
As anticipation builds for the official announcement, many observers see the coalition as a stabilizing force in an increasingly polarized European political landscape — one that could provide fresh momentum for Germany on both the domestic and international fronts.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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