Germany's SPD members approve coalition agreement

BERLIN, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Members of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) have voted in favor of forming a coalition with the Union party, the SPD said in a statement on Wednesday.

The result paves the way for a new federal government led by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz.

About 84.6 percent of participating SPD members approved the coalition agreement, while 15.4 percent rejected it, according to an official result released by the SPD.

The result followed prior approvals of a deal between CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU).

In a statement, the SPD described the result as a "clear mandate to take on government responsibility."

With approvals secured from all three parties, the coalition agreement is scheduled to be formally signed next Monday. Enditem