Berlin: Friedrich Merz has officially assumed the role of German Chancellor after a dramatic day in parliament that underscored fractures within his newly formed coalition. In a second round of voting on Tuesday afternoon, Merz secured 325 votes — narrowly surpassing the 316 needed for confirmation.
Earlier in the day, Merz suffered a historic and surprising defeat when he fell six votes short in what is typically a procedural vote. This unprecedented failure highlighted internal dissent within the coalition of his center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), formed following February’s national election.
Germany's president formally appointed Merz after the successful second vote, and he was subsequently sworn in at the Bundestag. However, the narrow margin and earlier loss have cast a shadow over the beginning of his term, potentially empowering the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which came second in the February elections and is gaining momentum in opinion polls.
The CDU, though victorious in February, did not win a parliamentary majority and turned to the SPD to form an unusual cross-party alliance. This coalition, holding 328 seats, was crafted to continue Germany’s long-standing effort to keep far-right parties out of power — a principle known as the “firewall.” The initial failure of Merz’s confirmation vote exposed potential instability in this alliance.
The source of the internal dissent remains unknown due to the secret ballot process. Merz’s shaky start comes as he promises bold reforms, including changes to the country’s “debt brake” — a constitutional rule restricting government borrowing — and a revitalized defense strategy aimed at modernizing Germany’s military capabilities.
These goals take on heightened importance amid geopolitical uncertainty and a cooling relationship with the United States. Following Merz’s confirmation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for stronger German leadership within Europe and NATO.
Meanwhile, the AfD seized on the day’s parliamentary drama, calling for snap elections and demanding Merz’s resignation. Party leader Alice Weidel claimed her party is ready to take on governing responsibilities.
Merz, 69, has had a long political career, marked by a hiatus after a dispute with former Chancellor Angela Merkel. He reentered public life in 2022 to lead the CDU and now faces a complex political landscape as he begins his chancellorship — one that will test both his leadership and the resilience of his coalition.
