November 30, 2019

BERLIN — German politics were thrust into disarray late Saturday after a surprise decision by the Social Democrats (SPD) to elect a leadership duo that has expressed deep reservations over the party’s participation in Angela Merkel's government.

SPD members elected Norbert Walter-Borjans, a former regional minister from North Rhine-Westphalia and Saskia Esken, a little known MP from Baden-Württemberg, to take over the beleaguered party, which has been under interim management for six months.

The vote casts doubt on the viability of the so-called "grand coalition" with Merkel's Christian Democrats, which has already come under severe strain amid deep divisions on issues such as taxes, welfare spending and defense, to name but a few.

Read more: 

https://www.politico.eu/article/german-spd-elects-leaders-skeptical-of-merkel-coalition/