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Germany's Political Stalemate Ends With New Merkel-Led Coalition

The country's Social Democrats voted to join a new coalition with Merkel's conservatives, putting her on track for a fourth term.

Germany's Social Democratic Party has voted in favor of joining a coalition led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, ending a months-long political deadlock that put Europe's largest economy in doubt. About 66 percent of the party's members voted in favor of the coalition, while 34 percent came out against it, SDP treasurer Dietmar Nietan said Sunday. The vote paves the way for a fourth term by Merkel and a new government that could be in place by the end of this month. Merkel, who failed to secure a coalition agreement last fall, welcomed the decision as a “clear result” and said she hopes to work with the SDP “for the good of our country.”