Merkel's party approves German coalition agreement

Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic party today overwhelmingly approved a coalition agreement with Social Democrats that will make her Germany’s first woman chancellor.

In a show-of-hands, only three of 116 delegates voted against the agreement that will establish a left-right coalition if approved, as expected, later in the day by outgoing Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder’s SPD.

Ahead of the vote, Merkel pitched the so-called “grand coalition” with Schroeder’s party as “the only prospect” to boost the economy and restore faith in politics.

She said Germany needed to be among the three fastest-growing economies in Europe and can profit from globalization.

Leaders from the Social Democrats, or SPD, and the Christian Democrats and their sister party, the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union, both overwhelmingly approved the 143-page document yesterday before taking it to their members.

SPD members will vote on the agreement later today. If they approve, parliament will formally elect Merkel on November 22.