Merkel expects to "sleep well" under Schulz's government

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday gave her blessing to the likely new coalition government, saying she expected it to sleep "reassured" after Social Democrat Olaf Scholz succeeds her.

Merkel is withdrawing from politics after 16 years in power, while the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU) coalition faces a transition to the opposition after achieving its worst results in last month's general election.

The Social Democrats are now negotiating with the Liberals and the Greens to form a new coalition, and the goal of these parties, it announced Thursday, is to bring Finance Minister Schulz to the chancellery in early December.

Asked by Sueddeutsche newspaper how she felt about a Social Democrat taking charge of the country, Merkel replied, "Of course there will be political differences, but I will be able to sleep well."

The veteran leader also indicated that she does not expect major shifts in fiscal policy under the Schulz administration, and in a country that boasts a tight budget.

Merkel, who has overseen Germany's finances since 2018, said Schulz had not given the impression he had a penchant for spending.

And Merkel will take over the caretaker until a new government is formed.

Merkel, who has made several farewell visits abroad, said she was "flexible" about not knowing in advance the exact date of her last day in office.

"I never thought about what I would do the next day," she added.

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