Germany’s parliament has approved Friedrich Merz as the country’s new chancellor after a tense two-round voting process. Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), needed 316 votes from the 630-member Bundestag but fell short by six in the first round. Despite his coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SPD), 18 lawmakers defected, though their identities remain unknown due to the secret ballot.
Uncertainty and Resolution
The first-round defeat sparked hours of uncertainty, with some questioning whether Merz could form a stable government. However, after intense negotiations, the Bundestag held a second vote, and Merz secured 325 votes, surpassing the required threshold by nine. This marks the first time in post-war Germany that a chancellor-designate has required a second vote to win confirmation.
Germany’s constitution doesn’t limit the number of votes, but a second-round loss could have damaged Merz’s reputation and potentially destabilized the CDU-SPD coalition. Pressure mounted after CDU Secretary-General Carsten Linnemann urged lawmakers not to delay, citing Europe’s need for a strong Germany. Merz was sworn in as chancellor, with his 17 ministers preparing to take office. The CDU’s Linnemann pushed for an immediate second vote, saying Europe needs a strong Germany and can’t wait.
Historical Context
No chancellor candidate has ever lost a Bundestag vote since Germany’s democracy was restored in 1949. This unprecedented situation raised concerns about the stability of the new government. In the end, Merz’s confirmation ended the uncertainty, paving the way for his administration to move forward.
Source: bbc