Angela Merkel must not ‘DICTATE’ to other EU countries, warns German coalition partner

Olaf Scholz, who is the acting chairman of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), made the remarks as his party has agreed to enter a grand coalition Government with Mrs Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) after months of negotiations.

Mr Scholz told German weekly magazine Der Spiegel: “We don’t want to dictate to other European countries how they should develop.

“Mistakes were surely made in the past.”

He also emphasised his desire for Germany to have a balanced budget and “sound finances”.

Mr Scholz told reporters in Berlin a majority vote by SPD members to enter the coalition was a “really important democratic decision” for Germany.

He said: “We now have clarity: the SPD will join the next German government.”

But he refused to confirm reports he would be the next finance minister, saying only that the Social Democrats would appoint three men and three women to the federal cabinet.

Angela Merkel also yesterday welcomed a majority vote by SPD members to back the coalition agreement.

She also vowed to press on with joint efforts with France on European reforms and other issues such as trade policy.

While both the SPD and Mrs Merkel’s conservatives have agreed broad policy outlines, the two parties are yet to work out disputes on implementation of immigration, car missions, labour rules and welfare.

French President Emmanuel Macron has branded Germany’s grand coalition government “good news for Europe” as he seeks to push major reforms through the EU.

The French President’s ambitious reform plans for deeper European integration were put on hold after Mrs Merkel failed to secure a ruling majority in last September’s federal elections, a result which led to the longest coalition negotiations in postwar history.

Mr Macron’s office said in a statement: “The President of the Republic is pleased with the result of the SPD vote.

“It’s good news for Europe.

“France and Germany will work together on new initiatives in the coming weeks to move the European project forward.”

The EU reforms put forward by Mr Macron, French officials say, have been met “favourably” by both the SPD and the CDU.