Germany’s SPD party to reveal ministers for new government

The SPD is expected to reveal ministerial positions for the new German government today.

The coalition agreement between the SPD, the Greens and the FDP will also be presented, though there is limited knowledge thus far regarding its contents. This agreement comes two months after general elections were held in Germany and will mark the conclusion of negotiations between the SPD, the Greens and the FDP. Notably, Chancellor Angela Merkel will fall short of surpassing the longest Chancellorship in German history (currently held by Helmut Kohl) as a result.

Expect the announcement to reveal which parties will lead government departments. In addition to the Office of the Chancellery, which will be led by Olaf Scholz, the SPD is expected to hold ministerial positions for the interior, defense, health, labor, economic cooperation and housing departments. The Greens therefore will likely obtain the offices of Vice-Chancellor, foreign affairs, environment, consumer protections, and agriculture. The FDP will likely be designated to four ministries: education, finance, judiciary, and transport.

The revelation of these roles comes at a crucial moment as Germany imposes a coronavirus lockdown on the unvaccinated, furthering tensions between those who are pro-vaccine and anti-vaccine.