Germany's Merz Squeaks Through as Chancellor After Historic First Vote Failure

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Germany's incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz shakes hands with outgoing German chancellor Olaf Scholz as Merz is elected (Picture courtesy of REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch)

 

In an unexpected twist in German politics, conservative leader Friedrich Merz has secured the chancellor's position after a second round of voting in the parliament. Merz faced a remarkable political hurdle as the initial parliamentary vote saw his alliance with the centre-left Social Democrats rejected—the first such failure in post-war Germany.

 

Despite leading the CDU/CSU alliance to victory in February's federal election and forming a coalition with the Social Democrats, Merz initially fell short on securing enough support, obtaining only 310 out of the necessary 316 votes in the first try. However, a subsequent secret ballot yielded a 325 to 289 vote in his favour, enabling Merz to sidestep a political quandary that left him visibly shaken and prompted emergency discussions with his loyalists.

 

As 69-year-old Merz prepares to take charge amidst a stagnant economy and heightened global tensions, his leadership is under scrutiny. His coalition has proposed strategies to boost growth by slashing corporate taxes and energy costs while pledging robust backing for Ukraine and beefier military budgets. Yet, significant tasks lie ahead, particularly with a defence in government positions secured only by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.

 

The appointment of Merz marks his debut in a governmental role, having launched his career as a European lawmaker in 1989 and later rising to prominence in German politics. His leadership is challenged by dwindling public support, driven partly by the staunch rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The AfD has been classified as right-wing extremist by domestic security services and has gained a foothold, particularly in Germany's eastern regions.

 

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was set to swear in Merz and his cabinet, which consists primarily of fresh faces, many from the private sector. The swearing-in ceremony was scheduled before Merz's diplomatic visits to Paris and Warsaw.

 

As Merz steps into his role at a momentous time for Germany, opposition voices question his ability to unify both the parliament and the nation. Far-left and far-right figures criticised Merz, highlighting a perceived fragility in the coalition's foundation. Despite the rocky start, Merz now assumes the mantle as post-war Germany's 10th chancellor, with his leadership vision firmly under the spotlight as Europe watches closely.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-07

 

 

[FlorC]

Very sad ! The Germans are going to pay for it , literally and in others ways.

[SOTIRIOS]

...Another In A Series Of 'Unlikely Vote Outcomes' Manifesting Globally... (?)

[Bannoi]

Good news for Ukraine

[FlorC]

1 hour ago, Bannoi said:

Good news for Ukraine

Yes , another time the Germans go fight the Russians (direct or proxy).

 

Like other euro countries they are blind to the army already within their border.

 

[sharot724]

Who would have thought Germany, of all the countries, they would emerge as  the class of the World.

 go figure...

[Sydebolle]

Well, one should bar all those gifted politicians who changed their mind of "no" to "yes" within hours; wondering what kind of envelopes/promises Merz had to admit. Merz is not there to serve Germany to the best of his abilities but to serve himself to the best of his ego and status. 

Nothing to do with excellent German politicians like Brandt, Schmidt, Genscher or Wishnevsky - sad state of affairs. But then again, why should Germany be different to the rest of completely decadent derailed Europe .......

Europe - quo vadis? The car called "Europe" had an excellent motor called "Germany"; regretfully a thing of the distant past. Let's see if war mongering Merz puts the "Taurus" war gear in motion towards Ukraine which will break the (Russian's) camels back. Unless someone can stop these mad minds I fear for the worst. 

Eventually common sense will prevail and Merz is "detronizzato" within a year - hope dies last, as we know. As a non-German I can only hope and wonder, if the outcome reflects the true wish of the German voters or rather some WEF-corrupt clowns in the circus tent of Berlin? 

[KhunBENQ]

Look at the looser party (SPD, "social democrats") and see how many ministers and other high ranks they get. It's a complete voter fraud.

And of course the cabinet is balanced to the woke (male/female, east/west/north/south).

It's not about finding the most competent people.

 

At the very end of the last legislative period they rushed through a trillion Euro debt package.

100 billion assigned to climate protection to buy the vote of the greens.

 

[JonnyF]

Oh what a tangled web we weave.

 

The machinations to keep the AFD out of power are coming at a high price to Germany, and ultimately the EU.