Overview

• Friedrich Merz said in a ZDF interview that he will push for a new Bundestag vote in the autumn, calling the effort a “ziemlich schwieriger Prozess.”
• Because a two-thirds majority is required, Merz acknowledged that approval may need backing from AfD or Die Linke lawmakers.
• The July attempt collapsed after parts of the Union rejected SPD nominee Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, who later withdrew her candidacy.
• The Bundestag’s Wahlausschuss had nominated three candidates—two from the SPD and one from the Union—but all votes were pulled from the agenda.
• Merz said preparations are underway and noted that Union and SPD parliamentary leaders arranged talks to enable a fresh secret-ballot vote.