Germany's CDU/CSU, SPD sign coalition deal for new gov't

BERLIN, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of Germany's conservative CDU/CSU and center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) signed a coalition agreement on Monday, paving the way for the formation of a new federal government.

Under the coalition pact finalized in April after weeks of negotiations, the parties pledged to enhance Germany's economic competitiveness, strengthen national defense and tighten migration policies.

The CDU/CSU, unofficially the Union parties or the Union, is a conservative political alliance of two political parties in Germany.

The Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, is scheduled to elect Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU, as chancellor on Tuesday.

Once Merz is elected, his government will take office, ending the current administration led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and SPD's co-leader Lars Klingbeil will take the post of vice chancellor. ■