Germany's SPD proposes veterans, newbies for next government

Published March 09, 2018

Germany's center-left Social Democrats party is proposing a mix of veterans and newcomers for ministerial posts in the country's next government.

The party's membership on Sunday approved continuing the current "grand coalition" with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative Union bloc until 2021.

Party leaders confirmed Friday that Justice Minister Heiko Maas will move to the Foreign Ministry and acting Labor Minister Katarina Barley will get the justice portfolio.

Hamburg mayor Olaf Scholz, a member of the federal government from 2007-2009, will control Germany's powerful Finance Ministry.

Franziska Giffey, currently mayor of Berlin's Neukoelln district, becomes families minister. Former party general secretary Hubert Heil gets the labor portfolio.

A regional official from western Germany, Svenja Schulze, will lead the environment ministry.

Merkel and her ministers will be sworn in Wednesday.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/world/germanys-spd-proposes-veterans-newbies-for-next-government