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The shock decision comes after senior members of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) pressured their leader in to waiving the post of foreign minister as part of the grand coalition. It comes just days after Angela Merkel's conservatives and the SPD agreed to form a coalition government on Wednesday. But SPD members have the right to veto the deal and reportedly withdrew their confidence in the leader, according to Bild. In a statement, Mr Schulz said he believed that debate within the SPD risked jeopardising a 'yes' vote among members on whether the party should go ahead with a coalition deal with Mrs Merkel.

GETTY Martin Schulz is facing calls to quit as foreign minister

GETTY Sigmar Gabriel had bemoaned Schulz's 'lack of respect' when he took the foreign minister job

I hereby declare my renunciation of joining the federal government and at the same time sincerely hope that this will end the personal debates within the SPD. Martin Schulz

He added: "I hereby declare my renunciation of joining the federal government and at the same time sincerely hope that this will end the personal debates within the SPD. "We all create policies for the people of this country. This includes that my personal ambitions must take a backseat behind the interests of the party." But he said the coalition deal he had reached with Mrs Merkel could "improve people's lives". He said: "The coalition agreement that I have negotiated together with the SPD party leadership stands out in that it can improve people's lives in many areas.

German election: Photos from the election Mon, September 25, 2017 Latest pictures during the upcoming general elections in Germany Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 22 Demonstrators scuffle with police during the protest against the anti-immigration party Alternative for Deutschland AfD, after German general election (Bundestagswahl) in Berlin

"I have always stressed that if we enter a coalition, we will only do so if our social democratic demands for education, care, pensions, work and taxation find their way into this treaty. "I am proud to say that this is the case. In particular, the reorientation of European policy is a great success. It is all the more important for me that the members of the SPD vote in favour of this agreement because they are as convinced of its content as I am. "Due to the discussion about my person, however, I see the success of this vote at risk." Mr Schulz has previously said he would not take a job in a government led by Mrs Merkel before he took the helm at the foreign ministry - a move for which he was widely criticised.

GETTY Merkel agreed a coalition deal with the SPD on Wednesday