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Coalition committee ends after eight hours in chancellery

October 09, 2025
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The leaders of the Union and SPD ended their coalition committee after about eight hours of deliberations. No decisions were announced initially. The meeting at Chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed controversial topics like the combustion engine phase-out and citizen's income reforms.

The meeting of the coalition partners CDU/CSU and SPD in the Berlin Chancellery started in the early evening and lasted until the early morning. Coalition circles reported that the session covered a comprehensive agenda with controversial issues, including differences over the EU-wide phase-out of new combustion engine vehicles by 2035. The Union sought to scrap this regulation, while the SPD wanted to uphold it but showed openness to flexibilizations. Both sides agreed in principle on the future of electromobility.

A car summit is scheduled for Thursday midday, where the government will discuss solutions to the crisis in German car manufacturing with industry representatives and unions. Other topics included financing for road and rail construction projects, where irritations arose due to an alleged funding gap announced by the Transport Ministry. Projects until 2029 could be at risk.

The planned reform of citizen's income was also central, featuring stricter sanctions against abuse and rule violations. A draft law from Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) is expected this week. Chancellor Merz and Bas have reportedly made progress in negotiations.

Additionally, measures to prevent a contribution increase in statutory health insurances next year were discussed. Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) aims to avert the threatened rise. The last gathering of party leaders occurred in early September; the Union hoped for a 'coalition committee of results'.

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