The CDU and SPD have paved the way for a joint governing coalition in Rhineland-Palatinate, nearly six weeks after the state election held in mid-March. At party meetings held in Mainz and Nieder-Olm, a clear majority voted Saturday in favor of the negotiated coalition agreement.
During the meeting in Mainz on Thursday, Minister-President Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) and his designated successor, Gordon Schnieder (CDU), presented the finalized document. Key provisions announced in the agreement include an increase in police staffing and the establishment of a mandatory full kindergarten year.
The new state parliament is scheduled to convene for its constitutive session on May 18th, which is when Schnieder is expected to be elected as the new Minister-President.
Regarding the election results, the CDU won the vote held on March 22nd with 31.0 percent, significantly ahead of the SPD, which received 25.9 percent. The parliament will also be represented by the AfD at 19.5 percent and the Greens at 7.9 percent. Because all other parties had ruled out a coalition involving the AfD, a governing alliance solely comprising the CDU and SPD was the only viable option.