German Chancellor Angela Merkel has welcomed the coalition deal and says, "It's important that we start quickly with our work." Merkel was speaking today, a day after the center-left Social Democrats voted overwhelmingly to remain in a coalition with Merkel's conservative bloc, giving her the support needed to preserve her governing coalition and secure a fourth term as leader of Europe's most powerful economy. Parliament is expected to meet March 14 to re-elect Merkel as chancellor, ending the longest time Germany has been without a new government after elections in its postwar history. The Social Democrats were initially reluctant to extend their coalition with Merkel, but eventually agreed to a deal that gives them control of the foreign, labor and finance ministries three major portfolios in return for supporting curbs on immigration.
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