Merz's CDU and Social Democrats agree coalition deal in German state

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) have agreed to form a coalition government in the western German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, according to information obtained by dpa.

Details of the agreement are expected to be presented later in the state capital, Mainz, nearly six weeks after the regional election. The deal was negotiated by CDU leader Gordon Schnieder and SPD leader Alexander Schweitzer, with few details emerging during talks.

Both parties still need to approve the coalition deal at internal party meetings scheduled for May 2. A formal vote for the new state premier is expected on May 18.

If confirmed, the agreement would end 35 years of SPD-led governments in the state and mark the first-ever coalition between the two parties in Rhineland-Palatinate.

Key sticking points in the negotiations included the state's budget deficit, economic policy, and education reform, on which the parties had campaigned with differing positions.

The new coalition would hold a two-thirds majority in the state parliament, giving it the ability to amend the constitution. The CDU holds 39 seats, ahead of the SPD with 32.

The far-right AfD becomes the largest opposition party with 24 seats, while the Greens hold 10 seats. No alternative coalition was seen as viable, as both major parties have ruled out cooperation with the AfD.