German conservatives, centre-left, sign coalition agreement

Conservative and centre-left leaders today signed the agreement to form a coalition government – the last step before Angela Merkel can be elected Germany’s chancellor.

At the signing ceremony of the 143-page agreement, Merkel, who heads the conservative Christian Democratic Union said: “It is our job is to make sure that the paper doesn’t remain just paper, but that in the coming days, weeks and years we bring it to life.”