Friedrich Merz elected as Germany's new chancellor in unprecedented second round of voting | DW News

Key Concepts

• Chancellor Election: The process of electing the Chancellor of Germany.
• Bundestag: The German Parliament.
• Article 63 Power 2: The legal basis for the Chancellor's election.
• Absolute Majority: The requirement of 316 votes to be elected Chancellor.
• Bellevue Palace: The official residence of the German President.
• Oath of Office: The formal swearing-in ceremony for the Chancellor.
• Coalition Government: A government formed by multiple parties.
• Debt Brake: A constitutional limit on government borrowing in Germany.
• AFD (Alternative für Deutschland): A right-wing political party in Germany.

Election of Friedrich Merz as Chancellor

• Second Ballot Victory: Friedrich Merz was elected Chancellor in the second ballot after failing to secure the necessary majority (316 votes) in the first round. He received 325 votes in the second ballot.
• First Ballot Defeat: In the first ballot, Merz received only 310 votes, falling short of the required majority. This was described as a "historic defeat" as no previous Chancellor candidate had failed to win on the first ballot in post-war Germany.
• Coalition Support: The coalition supporting Merz has 328 members of parliament (MPs). The fact that he only received 325 votes indicates that some members of his own coalition did not support him.
• Acceptance of Election: Merz accepted the results of the election after being asked by the President of the Bundestag.
• Swearing-in Ceremony: The swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for 6:15 PM at the Bellevue Palace, where Merz would receive his appointment from the German President and then return to the Bundestag to take the oath of office.

Reactions and Analysis

• Relief vs. Glory: The election was described as a moment of relief rather than a moment of glory due to the initial defeat and the lack of full support from his coalition.
• Body Language: Merz's body language was noticeably different after the second vote compared to the first. He appeared "deathly pale" after the first vote but showed more positive body language after the second.
• Congratulatory Gestures: MPs from various parties, including Heidi, a leader of the Left Party, congratulated Merz, symbolizing a degree of unity in German politics.
• Mika Ka's Analysis: DW chief political editor Mika Ka noted that Merz appeared to be in shock after the second vote, as if he had braced himself for another defeat. She also pointed out that Merz's pledges internationally may be conditional on approval by his own parliament.

Merz's Leadership and Challenges

• Decisive Leader: Merz has presented himself as a decisive leader who will end Germany's tendency to "sit on the fence" on important issues.
• Financial Resources: He has access to significant financial resources, including 500 billion in extra debt for infrastructure investment and the potential to take on debt for defense.
• Debt Brake U-Turn: Merz initially opposed touching the debt brake but later reversed his position, describing it as a "political loan" that he would have to repay.
• Parliamentary Control: Merz's lack of full support from his own parliamentary groups raises questions about his ability to control parliament and project power both domestically and internationally.
• Dealing with the AFD: Merz faces the challenge of dealing with the AFD, which has gained ground in German politics. He has been accused of cooperating with the AFD in the past, which he denies. He will need to fend them off from gaining more ground in German politics.

Conclusion

Friedrich Merz's election as Chancellor was a complex and somewhat rocky process. While he ultimately secured the position, the initial defeat and the lack of full support from his coalition raise questions about his leadership and his ability to effectively govern. He faces significant challenges, including managing the economy, dealing with the AFD, and projecting power both domestically and internationally.