00:01Germany's Social Democrats approved a coalition deal with conservatives on Wednesday,
00:05paving the way for Friedrich Merz to become chancellor.
00:08Nearly 85% of SPD members who voted backed joining the government led by Merz's CDU and CSU bloc.
00:18The SPD finished third in February's election,
00:21but its support allows the conservatives to govern without the far-right AFD.
00:25SPD leader Lars Klingbeil is tapped for vice-chancellor and finance minister,
00:32though critics question his fiscal experience.
00:36The SPD gets seven ministries, including defense and labor,
00:39while the CDU takes posts like foreign and interior.
00:43The deal will be signed on Monday, May 5th,
00:46with parliament expected to elect Merz as chancellor on Tuesday, May 6th.
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