Berlin, 9 April 2025
The political parties forming Germany’s new government coalition — the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) led by Friedrich Merz, the Christian Social Union (CSU) under Markus Söder, and the Social Democrats (SPD) represented by Lars Klingbeil and Saskia Esken — have finalized their coalition treaty and outlined the structure of the new government.
Insight EU offers an unofficial English translation of the agreement to inform the international community about the latest developments in shaping a stable, forward-looking, and pro-European government in Germany.
Responsibility for Germany
Preamble
Germany is facing historic challenges. The policies of the coming years will decisively determine whether we can continue to live in a free, secure, just, and prosperous Germany. We are aware of this responsibility and align our actions and policies accordingly. We do so in the knowledge of the strength of our country and our democracy: Germany can master any task through its own efforts and in close cooperation with our partners and friends around the world.
Clarity about the right path for the coming years first requires clarity about our current position:
Externally, the opponents of our liberal democracy are attacking our freedom. Authoritarian powers are gaining strength. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine also threatens our security. We are experiencing hybrid attacks on our country aimed at destroying social cohesion in Germany, undermining our democracy, and endangering our security. But even within our country, democracy is attacked daily by its opponents.
Internally, our economy is suffering from persistent weakness in growth. Life in Germany has become more complicated, more expensive, and more exhausting. At the same time, a protectionist trade policy is calling into question the stability and order of the global economy. Irregular migration is polarizing our society. A lack of structural reforms has increased pressure to consolidate public finances. Trust in the state’s ability to provide solutions is declining. Many citizens are dissatisfied.
We understand the election result as a mandate for a comprehensive renewal of our country – a renewal that builds on strengths and addresses weaknesses, that creates new security, provides stability, and strengthens cohesion. We are united by the will to secure a good future for Germany. The history of the Federal Republic shows that our country grows with its challenges. Liberal democracy, the social market economy, and solidarity within society have been, are, and will remain the cornerstones of our country’s success.
As parties of the political center, we jointly accept responsibility. The next federal government must build on the strengths of our country and address the major tasks effectively. With reforms and investments, we want to move Germany forward again. We hold ourselves to the highest standards. We must improve so that Germany can move upward again. As a coalition, we are focusing on the following priorities:
We are renewing the promise of the social market economy – opportunity and “prosperity for all.” To this end, we are creating the conditions for a competitive and growing economy. We will improve the structural framework for companies and employees, promote innovation, systematically reduce bureaucracy, and make fairness in performance a guiding principle. A strong social partnership is the foundation of our economic success. To ensure jobs remain secure, Germany must remain a strong industrial country. We are strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises and the skilled trades. In uncertain times, Germany should become a safe haven for researchers, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the world.
We are strengthening social cohesion. This includes reliable social security systems, more equal opportunities, codetermination, and good wages. Achieving genuine equality between women and men in the economy, the state, and society – and enforcing it – is a central concern of our entire government work.
We are strengthening our defense and deterrence capabilities to secure freedom and peace. Strength is a prerequisite for peace. That is why we want to be able to defend ourselves so that we do not have to. Through decisions on the future financing and architecture of our security, we have laid the groundwork to successfully counter any external threat. We stand with Ukraine, which is also defending our freedom and the principles of a rules-based order, and we are committed to a just peace negotiated jointly with Ukraine.
We are ensuring a capable and effective state. For years, trust in the ability of public institutions to act and solve problems has been waning. We have heard this wake-up call and developed a reform plan. We want a functioning, capable state that operates more digitally and efficiently than before. Through investments in infrastructure, we will ensure that trains run on time again, roads and bridges are restored to good condition, medical care is secured, and digitalization makes everyday life easier.
We are regulating migration and promoting integration. To this end, we are protecting our national borders and deciding for ourselves who comes to our country, who may stay, and who must leave. As an aging society, we rely on immigration. Therefore, we are improving legal pathways for regulated immigration into the labor market and strengthening the framework for successful integration.
Top performers and their families are at the center. We are working to make life in Germany simpler, more affordable, and fairer. Effort and commitment must pay off. Performance deserves respect and recognition – whether at work, in the family, through integration, or in volunteerism. Pensions will remain stable beyond this legislative term. Massive investments in childcare and schools will significantly increase equality of opportunity in our country. Respect for religious freedom and for the various religious communities rooted in Germany is an essential part of our values.
This year we celebrate 35 years of German unity. In the 35 years since reunification, people in eastern Germany have achieved extraordinary things. They have not only overcome crises but have also actively shaped far-reaching change. With courage, perseverance, and innovative spirit, they accepted the historic challenge of German unity, made personal sacrifices, and rebuilt their home regions. The East has long proven that transformation can succeed. We want to build on this: those who have already mastered transformation can also shape the future.
Coalitions of CDU, CSU, and SPD have always been strong when we dared to give bold answers. That is our ambition now, too: we will prove that three parties of the democratic center can shape our country successfully together. In this spirit, we aim to guarantee stability, inspire renewed confidence, and comprehensively renew our country.”
Read the full German Version of the Coalition Treaty
Get the unofficial English translation of Germany’s Coalition Treaty: