Germany's Social Democrats are meeting today in Bonn to approve a government pact with the environmentalist Green Party.

The vote is a last formality before parliament meets on Tuesday to confirm the Social Democrat, Gerhard Schroeder, as the new Chancellor.

The Greens voted in favour of the coalition deal on Saturday, paving the way for their party to join government for the first time.

Their co-leader, Joschka Fischer, who is set to become Foreign Minister, said the Greens would not compromise their ideals, even in government.