German parties reach deal for government to end Merkel era
By GEIR MOULSON and FRANK JORDANS BERLIN (AP) — Germany's would-be governing parties vowed Wednesday to modernize Europe’s biggest economy and step up efforts against climate change as they announced an agreement that leaves center-left leader Olaf Scholz poised to replace longtime Chancellor Angela Merkel within weeks. The coalition will shift Germany's leadership a bit to the left after 16 years