Berlin, Germany – Germany’s conservative CDU/CSU union and centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) party have signed a coalition deal paving the way for the swearing in of the new government on Tuesday.

The leaders of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), their Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) and the SPD signed the 144-page agreement, which was announced last month after a round of coalition talks.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who’s set to be sworn in as chancellor on Tuesday, vowed ahead of signing the agreement that the three parties would ‘vigorously get to work’.

“We know that it is our almost historical obligation to lead this coalition to success. We are determined to do this together.”

CSU leader Markus Söder and SPD leader Lars Klingbeil echoed Merz’ determination.

“This government must be successful,” Klingbeil said before signing the coalition agreement. “It is up to us whether Germany shapes the new world order.”

Söder described the future coalition as a ‘community of responsibility’.

“It can and will be a strong team,” he said.

DW