German Chancellor Angela Merkel is set to form her fourth government after the opposition Social Democrats voted in favor of another grand coalition.

The vote by 464,000 rank-and-file members ends five months of political deadlock since September’s election.

The Social Democrats (SPD) had been split between the party’s leadership, which backed joining the coalition, and its radical youth wing, which did not.

Merkel, who has been in power for 12 years, congratulated the SPD.

SPD voters approved continuing the coalition with 66% in favor. Vote counting went on through the night at the party headquarters in Berlin.

• Govt. dismisses allegations against Port City bill
• Farmers of Ampara hit by lack of fertilizer
• BASL “concerned” on implementing PCoI recommendations
• Sri Lanka limits overseas arrivals due to rise in COVID-19 infections
• 3,243 people tested positive for COVID-19 so far in April – NOCPCO