Tuesday, May 6`, 2025
Year : 2, Issue: 36
AFP: Germany’s conservative leader Friedrich Merz suffered a serious blow today when he failed to win a parliamentary majority in the first round of voting to become the next chancellor.
The unexpected setback — a first in German post-war history — prolongs the half-year of political paralysis in Berlin since the collapse of the coalition government of Olaf Scholz, which sparked elections in February.
Hoping to become modern Germany’s 10th chancellor, election winner Merz has vowed to revive the ailing economy and strengthen Berlin’s role in Europe as it responds to heightened geopolitical turbulence since US President Donald Trump returned to power.
But Tuesday’s parliament vote, which had been widely seen as a formality, sparked fresh turmoil and pointed to dissent within the ranks of the two-party coalition hoping to rule Germany.
To take over as chancellor, Merz needed an absolute majority of 316 of the 630 lower house votes in the secret ballot. But he only won the backing of 310 MPs, with 307 voting against him.
His CDU urged a second round vote as early as Tuesday but no new date had been set.
Other parliamentary factions would have to agree to hold a fresh vote before Friday.
According to the constitution a second round of voting has to take place within 14 days.
If that fails, then a third phase would take place in which a simple majority of lawmakers — with yes votes outnumbering no votes — would suffice to see Merz elected.
“Merz will most likely still be elected as chancellor in the end,” wrote analyst Holger Schmieding of Berenberg Bank.
“But even so, the unprecedented failure to be elected in the first round would still be a bad start for him. It shows that he cannot fully rely on his two coalition parties.
“That will sow some doubts about his ability to fully pursue his agenda, damaging his domestic and international authority at least initially.”
