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Merkel's Party Backs Coalition Deal to Form new Government

by Associated Press

   BERLIN --

   German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party has voted in favor of a deal to
   form a new coalition government with the center-left Social Democrats.

   Delegates at a convention in Berlin voted overwhelmingly Monday in
   favor of the agreement despite criticism from some conservatives in the
   party.

   Disquiet among the Christian Democratic Union's members has been
   growing following a weak election result last September that forced
   Merkel into complicated coalition negotiations with smaller parties.

   The agreement still requires approval from the Social Democrats. The
   result of a postal ballot of that party's membership will be announced
   March 4.