The Social Democratic Party SPD top candidate for chancellor Olaf Scholz makes a statement after a final round of coalition talks to form a new government in Berlin, Germany, November 24, 2021. REUTERS Fabrizio Bensch File Photo
BERLIN, Nov 29, Reuters -- Germany's chancellor-in-wait Olaf Scholz said on Monday his Social Democrats SPD would wait for a party congress this weekend to approve a coalition deal with the Greens and Free Democrats before announcing the assignment of cabinet posts.
Scholz, who will take over from the conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel, said in an online party forum that they will tell who the men and women are who will implement the coalition deal for us and Germany.
With Germany hitting new record highs in COVID 19 weekly episodes a day after day, some political leaders are calling for the SPD to announce who will take over the health ministry from conservative Jens Spahn.
The incoming coalition has been criticised by some virologists and opposition politicians for not doing more to curb contagion during this transition period.
The three parties passed a law this month requiring people to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recovery to go to work or use public transportation, among other measures, but they didn't want to let a state of emergency expire.
In recent days, there have been disagreements between the parties about how to tackle Germany's fourth wave.