Angela Merkel is heading for her fourth term as chancellor of Germany, after two-thirds of members of the Social Democratic party voted in favour of a grand coalition with the veteran leader’s conservative bloc.
The vote, which ends five months of political stalemate in Berlin, could help restore Germany’s leadership role in Europe at a time of mounting challenges, including a looming trade war with the US, rising tension over Brexit and French demands for an overhaul of the eurozone.
Emmanuel Macron, French president, said the result was “good news” for Europe, adding that France and Germany would work together to “push the EU project forward”.