Discussions Held by Coalition Committee on Implementation Plan

In the heart of the German capital, Berlin, the coalition committee, the central planning body for the alliance between CDU, CSU, and SPD, convened for their first meeting post-summer break. The gathering, held to discuss the work program for the second half of the year, brought together the leaders of Union and SPD, aiming to reach an agreement on a list of projects to be presented at a press conference at 7 pm.

Thorsten Frei and Björn Böhning prepared the meetings, ensuring a smooth flow of discussions. As the "Geschäftsführer" (manager or executive director), they were responsible for organizing the meetings and the work of the coalition committee.

The committee, composed of ten men and one woman, was in session. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, representing CDU, was present, joined by Markus Söder, Alexander Dobrindt, and Alexander Hoffmann from CSU. Lars Klingbeil, SPD party leader, Matthias Miersch, and Barbara Bas, the only woman in the committee who holds the positions of Labour Minister and SPD Chairwoman, also attended the meeting.

The agenda was filled with numerous unresolved issues, including social system reforms like basic income, and a budget gap of several billion euros. The coalition partners addressed these challenges, seeking consensus in cases of conflict and coordination between the coalition partners.

The meeting's primary focus was on the work program for the second half of the year. The list of projects to be presented at the press conference was being agreed upon during the meeting. Jens Spahn and Carsten Linnemann also represented CDU in the committee, contributing to the discussions and finding solutions to the pressing issues at hand.

The coalition committee meets at least once a month to ensure the smooth functioning of the coalition and the implementation of the agreed-upon policies. As the meetings come to a close, the committee members prepare to present their findings and plans to the public, marking another step forward in the coalition's journey towards a successful second half of the year.