A decisive step on the way to a new state government is imminent in NRW on Sunday: the CDU and the Greens will vote on whether the possible first black-green alliance in NRW is promising enough to enter into coalition negotiations.

Düsseldorf/Essen (dpa/lnw) – The top committees of the CDU and Greens in North Rhine-Westphalia are deciding today whether their parties will start coalition negotiations. In Essen (2 p.m.), around 100 delegates from the NRW Greens come together for a so-called small party conference. The state party council has to vote on whether the exploratory paper that both sides had drawn up in the past few days could be a basis for coalition negotiations. In Düsseldorf (4.30 p.m.), the extended state executive board of the CDU, which is about as strong, will also decide on this.

Black and green is considered the most likely option for the next government in NRW. It would be the first coalition of this kind for the most populous federal state.

The CDU and the Greens had agreed on key points for a possible coalition on Friday evening. In the exploratory paper, the parties commit to a climate-neutral industrialized country. They want to set up an “immediate climate protection program” and an early phase-out of coal by 2030. At least 1,000 additional wind turbines are planned over the next five years.

In the education sector, 10,000 additional teachers are to be hired in the coming years. The CDU and the Greens are also campaigning for equal pay. In addition, more police officers are to be hired in the field of internal security.

Both parties emerged from the state elections on May 15 with gains.