Merz says SPD wants to stay in coalition after CDU's heavy regional election losses
The CDU suffered its worst postwar regional election result as auto workers protest job cuts at Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
According to The Guardian, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he is "grateful" that the centre-left SPD wants to remain in the governing coalition after the CDU suffered heavy losses in two regional elections, including in Angela Merkel's home state, where it polled just 4.9%.
Separately, The Guardian reports that tens of thousands of automotive workers at Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and other car brands protested on factory floors across Germany, seeking government and management support to save jobs. Volkswagen has announced plans to cut 100,000 jobs over the next three years, and BMW and Mercedes-Benz are also reducing their workforces.
The Guardian attributes the industry's difficulties to the rise of Chinese electric vehicle makers offering cheaper, and in some cases more advanced, models, as German automakers have been slower to transition to EVs. Union leaders are calling for government support such as energy subsidies, financial assistance, or trade protections, citing state support for Chinese carmakers.
Sources
- Germany’s Merz ‘grateful’ centre-left SPD wants to stay in coalition after CDU’s heavy losses – as it happened — The Guardian — World
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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