New German government takes shape – SPD names new ministers

Germany‘s Social Democrats on Friday named two politicians to key posts in the new government, with Hamburg Mayor Olaf Scholz appointed as finance minister in Europe’s largest economy, and the justice minister Heiko Maas becoming foreign minister.

The SPD’s designated leader Andrea Nahles and Scholz announced the party’s six ministry appointments at a news conference. Justice Minister Heiko Maas would replace Sigmar Gabriel as foreign minister, Nahles said.

The SPD on Sunday said two-thirds of its members had voted in favor of a repeat of the ‘grand coalition’ with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives that has governed Germany since 2013, with the new government to be sworn in on March 14.

Nahles said Scholz, a 59-year old lawyer who backs closer European integration, would also be vice chancellor.

Merkel’s conservatives are upset that she agreed to give the SPD the key finance post to secure the coalition deal after eight years under budget hawk Wolfgang Schaeuble, who was known for his insistence on austerity for indebted Eurozone states.