Merz Elected Chancellor
- BERLIN (AP) — Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU, secured the chancellorship on Wednesday following a second round of voting in the Bundestag.The election comes after an unprecedented...
- Merz, 69, garnered 325 votes, surpassing the required 316, with 289 members of parliament voting against him and one abstaining.
- The newly elected Chancellor accepted the result, receiving congratulations from outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Friedrich Merz Elected Chancellor After Second Vote
Updated 5:39 p.m. CET, May 6, 2025
BERLIN (AP) — Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU, secured the chancellorship on Wednesday following a second round of voting in the Bundestag.The election comes after an unprecedented failure to achieve a majority in the initial ballot.
Merz, 69, garnered 325 votes, surpassing the required 316, with 289 members of parliament voting against him and one abstaining. The CDU/CSU and SPD coalition holds 328 seats in the German parliament.
The newly elected Chancellor accepted the result, receiving congratulations from outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented Merz with the official certificate of appointment at Bellevue Castle, formally transferring the office.
Merz was sworn in during an evening ceremony in the bundestag. The appointment and swearing-in of the new cabinet ministers, followed by an initial cabinet session, are scheduled for later tonight.
Ancient Defeat in the First Ballot
Earlier in the day, Merz failed to secure the necessary majority in the first vote, a historic first in the Federal Republic’s history. He received only 310 votes, six short of the required number. Despite full attendance from the CDU/CSU and SPD factions, 18 MPs apparently voted against him.The identities of those who opposed Merz remain unknown due to the secret ballot.
Procedure Changed After Initial Failure
Following the unsuccessful first ballot, the Bundestag session was suspended for several hours, with political groups holding extensive consultations regarding a second vote. Negotiations between parliamentary leaders and key politicians led to an agreement on a second ballot. Initially, the Union had suggested that no further vote would occur that day.
An agreement was reached in the early afternoon to hold a second round of voting. The Bundestag amended its rules of procedure with the required two-thirds majority, facilitated by a joint application from the Union, SPD, Greens, and Left parties.
Spahn Appeals to MPs
Announcing the second election, Union parliamentary group leader jens Spahn appealed to fellow MPs, stating, “All of europe, perhaps even the whole world, is watching this second ballot. I urge everyone to be aware of this special responsibility.”
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil expressed confidence that Merz would secure the necessary majority in the second vote,emphasizing the need to ”quickly choose the Chancellor” given the “serious situation” in the international arena.
greens and left Vote Against Merz; Criticism from AfD
During brief statements before the second ballot, representatives from the Union, SPD, Greens, and Left parties underscored the importance of electing a chancellor. CDU/CSU parliamentary manager Steffen Bilger stated, “Germany needs a government,” emphasizing ”the state’s ability to act and the functioning of our democracy.” SPD parliamentary manager Katja Mast echoed this sentiment, saying, “we want a new Chancellor and a new government quickly so that we can make good politics together.”
The greens and Left parties affirmed their support for a swift vote but reiterated their opposition to Merz and the proposed CDU/CSU and SPD coalition program. Green Parliament Manager Irene Mihalic argued,”The policy that you have agreed [upon] is not the right one for this country.” Left-wing parliamentary manager Christian Görke described Merz’s first-ballot defeat as a “crashing defeat,” a outcome of “a really bad coalition agreement that does not concern the big problems of this country.”
The AfD voiced strong criticism. AfD parliamentary managing director Bernd Baumann stated that Merz’s eventual approval “does not change anything: this government begins in extreme instability and it will remain unstable.” He claimed to have offered a majority procurement for the CDU and CSU by his party.
Friedrich Merz Elected Chancellor After Second Vote: Your Questions Answered
Who is Friedrich merz,and What Happened?
Who is Friedrich Merz?
Friedrich Merz is the leader of the CDU (Christian Democratic union),as stated in the provided article. He was elected as Chancellor in Germany. He is 69 years old.
What happened on Wednesday, May 6, 2025?
Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU, secured the chancellorship on Wednesday, May 6, 2025, following a second round of voting in the Bundestag. This occurred after an initial, unprecedented failure to achieve a majority in the first ballot.
What Was the Process of the Election?
How Was Friedrich Merz Elected Chancellor?
Merz was elected in the second round of voting in the Bundestag. He received 325 votes, surpassing the required 316. This election was a result of the failure to achieve a majority in the first ballot.
what Happened After the Second Vote?
After the second vote, here’s a breakdown of what happened:
Acceptance and Congratulations: Merz accepted the result and received congratulations from the outgoing Chancellor, Olaf Scholz.
formal Appointment: Federal president Frank-Walter steinmeier presented Merz with the official certificate of appointment.
swearing-in: Merz was sworn in during an evening ceremony in the Bundestag.
Cabinet: The appointment and swearing-in of the new cabinet ministers, followed by the initial cabinet session, were scheduled for later that night.
What was the outcome of the votes?
In the second ballot, Merz garnered 325 votes. additionally,289 members of parliament voted against him,and one abstained.
Why Was There a Second Vote?
The first ballot failed to produce a majority for Merz. He only received 310 votes, six short of the required number. This prompted negotiations and ultimately led to a second vote.
What Were the Key Events Leading Up to The second Vote?
What Happened in the First Ballot?
In a historic first for the Federal Republic, Merz did not secure the necessary majority in the first vote. He received only 310 votes, falling short of the required number, despite full attendance from the CDU/CSU and SPD factions.The identities of the 18 MPs who voted against him remain unknown due to the secret ballot.
How Did the Bundestag Respond to the First ballot Failure?
Following the unsuccessful first ballot:
The Bundestag session was suspended for several hours.
Political groups held extensive consultations.
Negotiations between parliamentary leaders led to an agreement for a second ballot.
What Changed Between the First and Second Votes?
The Bundestag amended its rules of procedure with a two-thirds majority, facilitated by a joint application from the Union, SPD, greens, and Left parties to allow a second ballot.
What Were the Reactions to the Election?
Who Supported and Opposed Merz’s Candidacy?
Here’s a summary of the viewpoints:
Supporters: CDU/CSU & SPD coalition
Opponents: Greens, Left Parties
Criticism: AfD
What Did Key Political Figures Say?
Jens Spahn (Union parliamentary group leader): Appealed to MPs, emphasizing the importance of the vote, stating, “All of Europe, perhaps even the whole world, is watching…”
Lars Klingbeil (SPD leader): Expressed confidence in Merz’s ability to secure the majority, emphasizing the need to “quickly choose the Chancellor…”
Steffen Bilger (CDU/CSU parliamentary manager): stated “Germany needs a government,” emphasizing the importance of the state’s ability to act.
Katja Mast (SPD parliamentary manager): Echoed the sentiment, saying, “we want a new Chancellor and a new government quickly…”
Irene Mihalic (Green Parliament Manager): Argued that the agreed-upon policy “is not the right one for this country.”
Christian Görke (Left-wing parliamentary manager): Described Merz’s first-ballot defeat as a “crashing defeat…”
* Bernd Baumann (afd parliamentary managing director): Argued about the government’s instability.
Key Facts Summarized
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| First Ballot Result | Merz received 310 votes (short of the required majority). |
| Second Ballot Result | Merz secured 325 votes and was elected Chancellor. |
| Coalition Seats | CDU/CSU and SPD coalition holds 328 seats. |
| Key Figures Involved | Friedrich Merz, Olaf Scholz, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Jens Spahn, Lars Klingbeil. |