Deal to make Scholz German chancellor clears final hurdle

A three-party deal to form a new German government under center-left leader Olaf Scholz has cleared its final hurdle

BERLIN -- A three-party deal to form a new German coalition government under center-left leader Olaf Scholz cleared its final hurdle Monday, setting the scene for him to succeed longtime Chancellor Angela Merkel later this week.

Germany’s environmentalist Greens said their members approved the agreement reached last month, with 86% voting for it in a ballot. The other two parties — Scholz’s center-left Social Democrats and the pro-business Free Democrats — overwhelmingly backed the agreement at weekend conventions.

“We are going into a strong new government, with a very strong and diverse Cabinet, with strong tailwind from the ballot,” said Green co-leader Annalena Baerbock, who is set to become Germany's first female foreign minister.

Her party made it clear that it sees efforts to curb climate change as the next government's top priority. Other priorities include modernizing Europe’s biggest economy and introducing more liberal social policies.