Following the conclusion of the coalition agreement, there are still several hurdles to be overcome before Friedrich Merz can achieve his goal of becoming the Federal Chancellor. In the SPD, party members will vote on the coalition agreement. This decision is expected to take place between April 15 and 19. In the CDU, the Bundesausschuss will decide on the agreement. It will meet on April 28. The Bundesausschuss consists of members of the Bundesvorstand, eight representatives of CDU associations and delegates from the state parties, which is why it is also referred to as the “small party congress.” The CSU has already given its approval for the coalition, in a vote that included the party board, the parliamentary group in the Bundestag and the state parliament.
Starting on May 5, if the decisions of the SPD and CDU are positive, special sessions of the Bundestag will be held to elect the new Federal Chancellor, who could be officially appointed as early as May 6. The decision of the SPD members is expected to be the only step where uncertainties are to be feared.