Greens dole out key roles in new German coalition government

Berlin (dpa) – Germany’s Greens have assigned key members control of the portfolios they are to have in the country’s incoming three-way coalition government, in which the party is to be a junior partner.

In a note to party members late on Thursday, senior Greens official Michael Kellner said that party leader Robert Habeck is to become vice chancellor to Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats (SPD), who will lead the coalition that also includes the pro-business FDP.

Habeck will also be in charge of the economy and climate portfolios within Scholz’s Cabinet, the note said.

Meanwhile, Cem Ozdemir, another Greens veteran, will become agriculture minister.

Former party leader and vice president of the Bundestag parliament Claudia Roth will replace outgoing Culture Minister Monika Gruetters. As part of the position, Roth will also be in charge of steering media policy.

After two months of talks, the three parties announced their governing coalition earlier this week, which will pave the way for Scholz to take over from Chancellor Angela Merkel after her 16 years in power.