Germany's Social Democrats have backed a treaty for a coalition with the CDU/CSU conservatives, the party said on Wednesday, clearing the last hurdle for the formation of a new government in Europe's largest economy.

Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) has approved a coalition agreement with Friedrich Merz's conservative CDU/CSU bloc, paving the way for the new German government to take office in Berlin next week.

Antonio Rüdiger needs to show "class" and respect for others, German national team sporting director Rudi Völler has said, after the defender appeared to throw ice toward the referee during Real Madrid's Copa del Rey loss to Barcelona.

Antonio Rüdiger needs to show “class” and respect for others, German national team sporting director Rudi Völler has said, after the defender appeared to throw ice toward the referee during Real Madrid's Copa del Rey loss to Barcelona.

Real Madrid and Germany defender Antonio Rüdiger had a knee operation on Tuesday and faces a race to be fit for the Nations League Final Four and the Club World Cup. The centre back was already facing a lengthy ban from the Spanish FA after throwing an object at the referee in Saturday's Spanish Cup final defeat to Barcelona.