Friedrich Merz finally secured Germany’s chancellorship in a dramatic second-round vote after initially suffering a historic defeat in parliament, exposing deep rifts within his coalition and a challenging path ahead for Europe’s largest economy.
At a Glance
- Merz won in the second round with 325 votes, just above the required 316, after a shocking first-round defeat
- The CDU/CSU bloc leader faced rebellion from 18 unnamed coalition members in the initial vote
- This marks the first time since WWII that an incoming chancellor failed to secure first-round approval
- Merz faces major challenges including economic stagnation, the rise of the far-right AfD, and maintaining Ukraine support
- The new chancellor remains personally unpopular with just 38% of Germans supporting him despite his party’s electoral victory
Historic Political Setback Before Victory
Friedrich Merz’s path to becoming Germany’s 10th postwar chancellor took an unprecedented turn when he initially failed to secure the required parliamentary majority. The CDU/CSU bloc leader, who won the election with 28.6% of the vote, needed 316 votes in the Bundestag but fell short when 18 unnamed rebels from his own coalition voted against him. This marked the first time in German post-war history that an incoming chancellor failed in the first round of parliamentary voting.
The political drama created chaos in Berlin’s government quarter, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) gleefully pointing to the coalition’s weak foundation. In the critical second round, Merz secured 325 votes, narrowly clearing the required threshold. Had he failed again, Germany could have faced extreme political instability and potentially new elections that might have further strengthened the growing far-right movement.
Daunting Challenges Ahead
Merz inherits a nation facing significant challenges on multiple fronts. The outgoing government forecasted zero economic growth for Germany, citing former President Trump’s trade policies among other factors. As a corporate lawyer who has never led a state government or ministry, Merz must now convince Germans he can deliver strong governance despite his limited executive experience.
“That is why we know that it is our historic obligation to lead this coalition to success.”, said Friedrich Merz.
The new chancellor’s reform of the “debt brake” to boost investment in infrastructure and the military has proven unpopular with fiscal conservatives. Meanwhile, the AfD has gained significant momentum, overtaking the CDU/CSU in some regional polls despite being designated as a “confirmed rightwing extremist” force by German authorities. Merz must also maintain Germany’s support for Ukraine while navigating these domestic challenges.
Shifting Perceptions of German Stability
Despite leading his party to electoral victory, Merz faces a personal popularity problem, with only 38% of Germans supporting him as chancellor. This disconnect between party support and personal approval complicates his mandate. The coalition itself has more public backing than Merz personally, though many Germans doubt its ability to solve the country’s pressing issues.
“Germany is always seen as a source of super-stability in Europe, even worldwide, This bumpy patch on the way to forming a government clearly shows that’s not necessarily the case. You could call it Germany becoming normal.”, Wolfgang Schröder said.
Merz’s leadership represents a notable shift to the right compared to Angela Merkel’s moderate approach that dominated German politics for 16 years. His initial plans include visits to Paris and Warsaw, signaling his intention to reassert Germany’s traditional role in European leadership. He will also attend ceremonies marking the end of World War II, a symbolically important moment for the new chancellor to establish his diplomatic credentials on the international stage.
