Friedrich Merz has now officially emerged as Germany’s new chancellor after a second vote in the Bundestag on Monday, May 6, 2025, bringing an end to a day of political drama in Berlin.
Earlier in the day, NIGERIANEWS reported that Merz had failed to secure enough votes in the first round—falling six votes short of the 316 needed to become chancellor, despite his CDU/CSU-SPD coalition having a theoretical majority in the parliament.
The failed initial vote sent shockwaves through Germany’s political landscape, sparking immediate negotiations within the ruling coalition. Just hours later, a second vote was conducted, and Merz narrowly clinched the chancellorship with 325 votes, finally surpassing the required threshold.
His confirmation came after weeks of anticipation and internal coalition friction, particularly from SPD lawmakers uneasy with some of his proposed policy directions. A key point of tension remains his push for a €1 trillion economic and defense investment package, which would require a temporary suspension of Germany’s strict debt limits.
Merz’s election has also stirred up Germany’s opposition politics. The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), now the largest opposition party, used the day’s events to claim the ruling bloc is unstable and out of touch, while calling for fresh elections.
Now officially sworn in by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Merz becomes Germany’s 10th postwar chancellor. His government is expected to focus on reviving Europe’s largest economy, managing internal coalition strains, and reaffirming Germany’s role on the global stage.
Following his swearing-in by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Merz assumes office as Germany’s 10th postwar chancellor. His election ends a period of uncertainty, but his administration begins under scrutiny, with Germans watching closely to see whether he can unite a divided coalition and deliver on key promises. How he navigates these early challenges will define the start of his leadership.
