Merz Elected German Chancellor After Unprecedented Parliamentary Turmoil

Friedrich Merz has officially become the 10th Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, following a dramatic two-stage voting process in the Bundestag that marked a historic first in post-war German politics. The 69-year-old Christian Democrat secured 325 votes in the second ballot—just nine more than the required 316—after initially falling short by six votes earlier the same day. His initial failure was unprecedented: no previous chancellor-designate in the history of the Federal Republic had ever lost a first-round vote in parliament after successful coalition negotiations.

The secret nature of the ballot has left the reasons for the initial defeat largely speculative. Despite the governing coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD holding a combined 328 seats, 18 members withheld their support in the morning vote. This led to a wave of confusion and behind-the-scenes negotiations in Berlin, ultimately resulting in an agreement to hold a second vote on the same day. To facilitate this, the Bundestag swiftly amended its procedural rules with a two-thirds majority.

A Coalition Under Scrutiny

The incident exposed early signs of fragility within the newly formed coalition. Although the CDU and SPD leadership reaffirmed their commitment to the governing agreement, the defection of several MPs raised concerns about discipline and internal dissent. SPD figures, including party chief Lars Klingbeil, insisted that the setback did not reflect a lack of unity, but political commentators have pointed to potential disillusionment among younger SPD members who had openly questioned Merz’s leadership.

The coalition, hastily formed after the collapse of the previous “traffic-light” alliance in November, faces the challenge of governing with a narrow majority. The SPD, weakened by its poor electoral performance earlier this year, has entered into this agreement from a diminished position. Merz’s victory thus represents not only a personal triumph but a test of whether this slim majority can deliver stable governance.

Public and International Expectations

Domestically, expectations are high. Germany’s economy, though showing signs of growth after two years of recession, remains fragile. Economists warn of potential setbacks from global trade tensions, including U.S. tariffs affecting German exports. Consumer spending is low, and the services sector recently contracted. Merz has promised to reinvigorate the economy, boost international confidence, and restore Germany’s role as a leading voice in Europe.

The European Union and NATO allies, particularly in light of U.S. foreign policy shifts, are looking to Germany for leadership. Merz is expected to push for stronger European sovereignty and defense capabilities. His first foreign trips as chancellor will be to France and Poland. In Warsaw, discussions are anticipated to be tense, especially over Merz’s support for stricter German border controls—an initiative spearheaded by incoming Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt.

Controversial Cabinet and Political Opposition

Merz’s new cabinet consists of 17 ministers—ten men and seven women—drawn from CDU, CSU, and SPD ranks. Lars Klingbeil, from the SPD, will serve as Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister. The cooperation between Merz and Klingbeil is seen as a crucial factor for the coalition’s success. Observers note that the pair worked efficiently during coalition negotiations, raising hopes for functional leadership.

However, opposition parties have made clear they will not support Merz’s policies. The Greens and the Left Party supported the expedited voting process for the sake of democratic continuity but reiterated their firm stance against the black-red coalition’s platform. Irene Mihalic of the Greens and Christian Görke of the Left warned that the coalition agreement fails to address key challenges facing the country.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which gained 20.8% in the February election, used the initial vote failure to argue that the coalition lacks legitimacy. Party leaders declared the new government fundamentally unstable and offered support to the CDU/CSU—a move rejected by mainstream parties and complicated by the AfD’s classification by Germany’s domestic intelligence service as a confirmed far-right extremist group.

A Cautious Start to a New Era

The atmosphere surrounding Merz’s swearing-in at Schloss Bellevue was both celebratory and cautious. While outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz offered his congratulations, Merz’s team moved quickly to finalize the formation of the new government, with ministerial appointments and the first cabinet meeting held the same evening.

Bundestag President Julia Klöckner and party leaders emphasized the need for swift action in the face of geopolitical tension and domestic pressure. Jens Spahn, CDU parliamentary group leader, underscored the urgency of forming a functioning government, stating that “the whole world is watching.”

Despite the shaky start, Merz now holds the reins of Europe’s largest economy. The coming weeks will be critical in establishing whether his government can overcome its fragile beginnings and deliver on promises of economic recovery, stronger European leadership, and a stable coalition capable of facing the challenges ahead.