The rise of right-wing politics in Europe is on the agenda for coalition negotiations between the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), according to a statement issued by SPD leader Martin Schulz in Dortmund on Monday.
“Germany, alongside France, is the country that has to lead the European Union, to strengthen democracy in Europe,” Schulz said in response to right-wing hecklers.
“The greatest accomplishment of the initial agreement,” said Schulz, “is that […] we as German social democrats are giving the Federal Government of Europe a new direction.”
Challenging the rise of the right, in addition to improving the lives of those living in Germany, are two of the points that the SPD are willing to enter into negotiations on.
The party is expected to vote on whether to move forwards with coalition talks in their party conference on January 21.