Overview

• Germany’s Bundestag will vote today to confirm Friedrich Merz as the country’s 10th post-war chancellor, concluding six months of political deadlock.
• The new government, led by the CDU/CSU and SPD coalition, holds a slim 328-seat majority and has committed to major reforms and investments.
• Merz, who lacks prior government leadership experience, has vowed to revitalize Germany’s economy, modernize infrastructure, and strengthen defense spending.
• The domestic intelligence service’s designation of the far-right AfD as extremist has sparked legal action from the party and criticism from U.S. officials.
• Key cabinet appointments include Lars Klingbeil as vice-chancellor and finance minister, and Boris Pistorius continuing as defense minister.