Germany ’s center-left Social Democrats have approved a deal to join a new coalition government, paving the way for parliament to elect conservative leader Friedrich Merz as the country’s new chancellor.

Germany's coalition government has cleared its final hurdle to power after the Social Democrats (SPD) voted in favour of the agreement. View on euronews

On foreign policy, Merz aims to take a more active role in Europe in contrast to the more tepid approach of his predecessar Olaf Scholz. Once he is sworn in, he is expected to travel to Paris and Warsaw to meet counterparts Emmanuel Macron and Donald Tusk.