Germany ’s center-left Social Democrats have approved a deal to join a new coalition government, paving the way for parliament to elect conservative leader Friedrich Merz as the country’s new chancellor.

German conservative leader Friedrich Merz, the country's presumptive next chancellor, on Monday urged his centre-right party's delegates to approve a coalition deal struck with the Social Democrats (SPD).

The parliament will meet May 6 to elect Merz, who will need a majority of all members of the lower house to be elected as post-World War II Germany’s 10th chancellor and succeed Olaf Scholz.