Politics
German election: CDU/CSU, SPD begin preliminary talks
Friedrich Merz aims to swiftly form government after his conservative bloc’s February 23 election win. SPD leader Lars Klingbeil stressed a coalition with the CDU/CSU was “not automatic” amid key policy disagreements.
Germany’s conservative CDU/CSU alliance on Friday began exploratory talks with the Social Democrats (SPD) aimed at forming a new government coalition.
The CDU/CSU bloc is made up of likely future chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its smaller Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU).
What do we know about the talks?
The conservative bloc came in first place in Germany’s 23 February federal election, receiving some 28.5% of the vote.
Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD won just 16.4% in a historic low for the party.
Merz has ruled out entering into coalition with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which came in second place at 20.8%, and pledged to uphold the political “firewall” against the party.
Friday’s talks are expected to focus on setting a timetable for coalition negotiations. It is as of yet unclear when formal coalition talks will begin.
Merz has said that he aims to form government before Easter.
Coalition ‘not automatic’ — SPD’s Klingbeil
While the SPD has agreed to a swift start for talks, party co-leader Lars Klingbeil stressed that a coalition with the CDU/CSU was still not set in stone.
“It is not certain whether a government will be formed or whether the SPD will join a government,” he said, saying that the formation of a coalition was “not automatic.”
The SPD and CDU/CSU have butted heads on a number of key issues, including on migration, tax policy and public spending.
The SPD has called for Germany’s debt brake to be lifted in order to increase the federal budget, while the CDU/CSU has argued for keeping it in place while establishing a special fund for defense spending.
Edited by: Kieran Burke
Author: Saim Dušan Inayatullah (DPA and German media reports)
Politics
PDP Holds BoT Meeting, Vows To Restore Confidence, Hold Congress In States
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) is presently meeting in Abuja.
In his opening address, the BoT Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, reaffirmed the commitment of the body to restoring confidence within the party and organizing congresses in states where they have not yet been held.
Senator Ohuabunwa told members that the national leadership is ready to work collaboratively with all state chapters to bring fresh leadership and stability across the country.
He outlined the PDP’s roadmap: conduct overdue state congresses, consolidate ongoing achievements, and support the national leadership to steer the party back on course.
According to him, these steps are critical to ensuring unity, transparency, and strengthening grassroots engagement.
By holding timely congresses and reinforcing organizational discipline, PDP hopes to rebuild trust among members and present a more organized, credible front ahead of future elections.
Politics
BREAKING: Talon safe as loyalist forces regain control after brief coup scare
Benin’s President Patrice Talon is safe, and security forces are restoring order after a faction of soldiers claimed to have removed him from power, the presidency announced on Sunday.
In a brief statement, the presidency dismissed the soldiers’ declaration as the actions of a fringe group with limited influence.
“This is a small group of individuals who only managed to seize the television station. The regular army is steadily regaining control. Both the city and the entire country remain completely secure,” the statement said.
The clarification follows an earlier broadcast by soldiers identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” who declared that Talon had been removed from office.
The government has since described the broadcast as an isolated disruption, assuring citizens that the situation is under control.
Politics
Orluzurumee Shifts Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting To December 13
The leadership of Orluzurumee, the apex socio-cultural body of Orlu Zone, has announced a new date for its much-anticipated Expanded Leadership and Stakeholders Meeting.
In a statement by the group’s Publicity Secretary, Nnamdi Cos-Ukwuoma, the organization said the meeting, earlier scheduled was shifted due to fresh logistical arrangements aimed at ensuring wider participation and seamless coordination.
According to the statement, the meeting will now take place on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Mayor Eze Hall, Orlu Local Government Headquarters, by 11:00 a.m.
Orluzurumee, under the leadership of its President General, Rt. Hon. Ugochukwu Nzekwe, expressed regret over any inconvenience the postponement may have caused invited stakeholders, stressing that the adjustment was necessary to guarantee a more inclusive and productive engagement.
According to the statement, the meeting is being convened in collaboration with the Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Dr. Emmanuel Okeke, and is expected to bring together traditional institutions, political leaders, community heads and other key actors from across Orlu Zone.
The organization described the gathering as a critical platform for fostering unity, peace and development across the zone, while reaffirming its commitment to the vision of “One Voice, One Destiny, One Orlu.”
Stakeholders and residents of the zone were urged to attend and participate actively in shaping the future direction of Orlu.
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