Friedrich Merz elected German Chancellor on second attempt

Indian Express

06-05-2025

Conservative leader Friedrich Merz was elected Germany's new chancellor on Tuesday, but only after a dramatic second-round vote in the Bundestag — a rare and bruising setback that revealed cracks within his newly formed coalition and marked an unprecedented stumble in post-war German politics.
Merz initially failed to secure the absolute majority needed in the 630-seat parliament, falling just six votes short during the first secret ballot. It was the first time since 1949 that a chancellor candidate had not won on the first attempt, triggering confusion and speculation about dissent within the ranks of his own Christian Democratic Union (CDU), its Bavarian sister party (CSU), or their centre-left coalition partner, the Social Democrats (SPD).
'No one knows who voted against us,' senior SPD lawmaker Ralf Stegner told the BBC. 'But I can tell you I don't have the slightest impression that our parliamentary group wouldn't have known our responsibility.'
After hours of behind-the-scenes negotiations, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner and party leaders agreed to hold a second vote later the same day. Merz secured 325 votes, just nine more than the required majority, narrowly averting what one German news outlet called a 'total debacle.'
Christian Democrat General Secretary Carsten Linnemann justified the rushed second vote, telling German TV, 'Europe needs a strong Germany — that's why we can't wait for days.'
Parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn urged MPs to rise to the occasion stating that, 'all of Europe, perhaps the whole world, is watching this ballot.'
The CDU/CSU and SPD together control 328 seats, yet 18 MPs either abstained, voted against Merz, or were absent during the first vote. Bundestag President Klöckner reported that nine MPs had not attended, three abstained, and one ballot was invalid, suggesting a mix of strategic dissent and potential discontent over cabinet appointments.
Gunther Krichbaum, Germany's new Europe Minister, told the BBC the failed first vote might reflect internal frustrations. 'Some MPs may have hoped for a ministerial or state secretary role and had their hopes dashed,' he said. 'Some young Social Democrats also publicly questioned their support for Merz.'
Despite these divisions, Merz was sworn in shortly after his narrow victory by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. His 17-member cabinet includes mostly newcomers, many from the private sector. Only Defence Minister Boris Pistorius retained his role from the previous government.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which placed second in the February election with 20.8 per cent, seized on Merz's initial failure. Co-leader Alice Weidel declared on X. 'This vote shows the weak foundation on which the small coalition has been built between the conservatives and SPD — a coalition rejected by voters.'
AfD MP Bernd Baumann was even more direct stating, 'The CDU promised to limit migration and then joined forces with the centre left. That doesn't work. That's not how democracy works.'
Just a day earlier, Merz had expressed confidence as he signed the coalition agreement. 'It's our historical duty to make this government a success,' he declared, vowing to restore stability after six months of political paralysis.
Despite his lack of prior executive experience, the 69-year-old Merz has pledged to strengthen Germany's role on the global stage and revive the struggling economy. 'Germany is back,' he said Monday, emphasising plans to cut corporate taxes, lower energy costs, and increase defence spending.
In one of the first congratulatory messages, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope for stronger German leadership in Europe and transatlantic affairs.
Merz's narrow victory offers his coalition a lifeline. 'Now we are in the position to create a stable government,' Krichbaum said. 'Germany's big issues — the economy, migration — can't wait.'