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.

Germany’s Social Democrats voted in favor of the coalition deal with Friedrich Merz’s conservatives, clearing the way for the leader of the conservative bloc to be confirmed as chancellor next week.

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.