Merz Sworn in as Chancellor; Some Ministers Omit ⁢religious Reference ⁤in Oath

BERLIN (AP) ⁣— Chancellor Friedrich⁢ Merz was sworn in⁤ Tuesday after a rare second vote was needed to confirm his⁣ election.⁢ The day included solemn moments as Merz and his new ‍cabinet took their oaths of office. However, some⁤ ministers chose to forgo ⁤the conventional‍ religious affirmation, “So God help me.”

The May⁢ 6, 2025, ⁤parliamentary⁣ session saw Merz, of the CDU, finally elected after an initial inconclusive vote. ⁢He then received his official appointment from ‍Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) at Bellevue Castle before returning to⁢ the Bundestag for the swearing-in ceremony.

Ministerial⁣ Oath: Articles 64 and 56 of the Basic Law

following the chancellor’s appointment, the⁢ new ministers received their certificates from Steinmeier and were subsequently sworn in. Julia Klöckner (CDU), president of the ⁢Bundestag, oversaw the process,⁤ referencing Article 64, Paragraph⁤ 2 of the Basic Law, which stipulates that the chancellor and ministers must take an oath as outlined in article 56.

Article 56 of the ⁣Basic Law, as published on gesetze-im-internet.de, states: “I swear that⁢ I will dedicate my strength to the⁤ well-being of the German ⁢people, promote their welfare, protect them from harm,‍ uphold‍ and defend⁢ the Basic Law and the laws of the federation, conscientiously fulfill my duties, and administer justice to all.” The phrase “So God help me”⁤ is traditionally appended.

Klöckner noted that ministers could choose between “I swear, so God help me,” or simply, “I swear it.” The website of the⁣ Ministry of justice, gesetze-im-internet.de, confirms ⁢that the oath can be taken without the religious ⁣affirmation, leaving the choice to ⁣each individual.

Ministers Forego Religious Affirmation

During the ministerial‍ swearing-in, Lars Klingbeil (SPD), the‍ Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor, along with Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), the Interior Minister, and⁢ Johann Wadephul (CDU), the Foreign Minister, all chose the non-religious⁣ affirmation, “I swear it.” Defense⁣ Minister Boris Pistorius was the frist to use this shortened version.

In total, four ministers omitted⁢ the religious reference: pistorius, Labor Minister⁢ Bärbel Bas (SPD), Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD), and Growth Minister Reem Alabali-Radovan (SPD).

Chancellor Merz offered a firm handshake to each new cabinet member after their oath. He himself included “So God help me” when he was sworn in earlier. klöckner held the original Basic Law, protected by white gloves, during Merz’s oath. The economy is already placing pressure on the ⁣new chancellor.

# Merz’s Swearing-In: A Look at the German Chancellor’s oath and Ministerial Choices

Here’s a breakdown of the recent swearing-in ceremony of German Chancellor⁣ Friedrich Merz and the ⁣decisions ⁣made by some of his ministers regarding their oaths of office.

## who is Friedrich Merz, and Why Was a Second Vote Needed?

Friedrich Merz, a member of the Christian⁢ Democratic Union (CDU), was sworn ‍in as Chancellor of Germany on Tuesday, ⁣May 6, 2025. The article ‍states that a⁣ “rare second vote” was required to confirm his election after the initial vote was inconclusive.

## What Happened During the⁣ Swearing-In Ceremony?

The day was marked by solemn moments as ⁢Merz and his new cabinet took ⁢their oaths of ⁤office. Following his election, Merz received his official appointment from ⁤Federal President ⁤Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The swearing-in ceremony then took place at the Bundestag.Interestingly, the article⁣ mentions that some ministers chose to omit the customary religious affirmation, “So ⁤God help me”.

##⁢ What Does the ministerial Oath Entail?

The ministerial oath in Germany ⁤is governed by Articles 64⁣ and 56 of the Basic Law (constitution). Following the Chancellor’s ⁢appointment, new ministers receive ⁢their certificates and are then sworn in.

## what Does Article 56 of the Basic Law State?

Article 56 of the Basic Law outlines the specific wording of the oath: ⁤”I swear that I will dedicate my strength to the well-being of the German people, ⁤promote their welfare, protect them from harm, uphold and defend the Basic Law and the laws of the federation, conscientiously fulfill my duties, and administer justice to all.” Traditionally, the phrase ⁢”So God help me” is added.

## Can Ministers Choose⁢ Not to Include the religious Affirmation?

Yes. As confirmed by Julia⁣ Klöckner,⁤ the President of ‍the Bundestag, ministers have a choice between the full ⁣oath (“I swear, so God help me”) or the shortened version (“I swear it.”). The website of the Ministry of Justice, *gesetze-im-internet.de*,confirms that the oath can be taken without the religious affirmation.

## Which Ministers Forewent the Religious‍ affirmation?

Several ministers opted for the⁢ non-religious affirmation, “I swear it.” Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was the first to use⁢ this shorter version.

Here’s a summary of the⁤ ministers who chose the non-religious oath, and their respective roles:

| Minister ⁢ | Portfolio ⁤ ⁤ | Party | Oath Affirmation ‍ |

|———————-|——————————-|———–|————————-|

| Boris Pistorius | Defense | N/A‍ ⁣ ‍ | “I⁢ swear it.” ⁣ ⁣ ‍ |

| Lars Klingbeil ⁢ | Finance Minister and vice Chancellor | ⁤SPD | “I swear it.” |

| Alexander Dobrindt ⁤ | Interior ⁤ ⁤ | CSU | “I swear it.” |

| Johann Wadephul ⁢ ⁤ | Foreign ⁤ ⁣ ⁣ | CDU ⁤| “I swear it.” ⁣ ⁣ ‍ |

| Bärbel Bas | ⁢Labour ⁢ | SPD⁤ |‍ “I swear it.” ⁢ |

| Carsten Schneider ⁤ | Environment ‍ ⁣ ⁣| SPD | ⁣”I swear it.” |

|⁢ Reem Alabali-Radovan | Growth⁣ ⁢ ⁤ ⁢ | SPD | “I swear it.” ‍ ⁤ |

## How did Chancellor Merz⁤ React?

chancellor Merz offered a firm handshake ⁤to each cabinet member after they took their ⁢oath. It is noted that he himself included “So God help me” when⁢ he was sworn in.