Germany's Angela Merkel Gets Fourth Term After Social Democrats Approve Coalition

Members of Germany's center-left Social Democrats (SPD) have endorsed a deal to form a governing coalition with the party of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, paving the way for Merkel to lead Germany for four more years.

The deal ends more than five months of political uncertainty after September elections left Merkel's governing coalition weakened.

Just over 66 percent of more than 360,000 Social Democrat party members who voted by a mail-in ballot endorsed a deal struck last month by party leaders to form a new coalition with Merkel's center-right Christian Democrats. The Social Democrats have more than 463,000 members.

"This wasn't an easy decision for the SPD," acting party chairman Olaf Scholz said Sunday in Berlin, Deutsche Welle reports. "In the discussion [about the deal], we've come closer together. That gives us the strength for the process of renewal we are embarking upon."

Merkel has already led Germany for more than 12 years. The deal will form her third grand coalition during her time as chancellor, according to DW. - More, NPR

Germany's Angela Merkel Gets Fourth Term After Social Democrats Approve Coalition