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Friedrich Merz Elected German Chancellor After Second Vote

Following an unprecedented first-ballot failure, Merz secured the necessary majority in a second Bundestag vote after a same-day rule change.

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Overview

  • Friedrich Merz was elected Germany’s tenth federal chancellor in a second Bundestag vote, receiving 325 votes, nine more than the required 316.
  • The first vote earlier in the day saw Merz fall short by six votes, marking the first time a chancellor candidate failed in an initial ballot in the Federal Republic’s history.
  • The Bundestag amended its procedural rules by a two-thirds majority to allow a second vote on the same day, expediting the resolution of the political impasse.
  • The CDU/CSU-SPD coalition, holding 328 seats, faced internal dissent during the first vote, though the second vote rallied sufficient support.
  • Merz was formally appointed by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Schloss Bellevue, and his cabinet is now being constituted to begin governance under the new coalition.