BERLIN, March 5 - (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel has welcomed the coalition deal and says, "It's important that we start quickly with our work." Merkel was speaking on Monday, a day after the centre-left Social Democrats voted overwhelmingly to remain in a coalition with Merkel's conservative bloc, giving her the support needed to preserve her governing coalition and secure a fourth term as leader of Europe's most powerful economy. Parliament is expected to meet March 14 to re-elect Merkel as chancellor, ending the longest time Germany has been without a new government after elections in its postwar history. The Social Democrats were initially reluctant to extend their coalition with Merkel, but eventually agreed to a deal that gives them control of the foreign, labour and finance ministries — three major portfolios — in return for supporting curbs on immigration.
