To Germany now, where a coalition deal has been signed during a ceremony in the capital Berlin.

Present at the signing ceremony was German Chancellor and leader of the Christian Democratic Union, Angela Merkel, and leaders of the Christian Social Union and the Social Democratic Party. In a statement following the ceremony, Merkel hailed the development, and called it a path towards fulfilling a mandate to take on responsibility for the country. It brings an official end to the nearly half-year political uncertainty.