Germany’s coalition government has agreed on a €1.6 billion ($1.9 billion) package aimed at easing fuel prices for consumers and businesses, responding to rising energy costs linked to global supply disruptions.

Germany’s conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, was on track to win a regional election in the western state of Rhineland-Palatinate, ahead of coalition partner Social Democratic Party (SPD), which faced a major defeat after more than three decades in power, according to early projections.

Germany’s coalition government is poised to approve a major pension reform on Friday, raising benefits by roughly €185 billion over the next 15 years and allowing retirees to work tax-free. Economists warn, however, that the package could deepen long-term financial pressures as the country’s population rapidly ages.

In a widely anticipated outcome, Germany’s center-right CDU/CSU bloc, led by Friedrich Merz, secured victory in the early Bundestag elections. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved an unprecedented second-place finish, while the ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) of Chancellor Olaf Scholz suffered a historic defeat, coming in third with its worst-ever electoral result.

Germany will hold its federal snap election on February 23, 2025, according to lawmakers and officials from three major political parties.

Germany’s ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) has emerged victorious in the Brandenburg state elections, securing 30.9% of the vote, an increase from 26.2% five years ago.

The Brandenburg state elections, scheduled for September 22, 2024, are attracting significant attention both in Germany and abroad. These will be the third elections in former East Germany this September, following those in Thuringia and Saxony. Approximately 2.1 million citizens are expected to be eligible to vote.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, representing the Social Democratic Party (SPD), has declared his intention to run for re-election in the 2025 federal election, News.Az reports citing foreign media.