Brussels – Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has been elected as the country’s Federal Chancellor following a second ballot in the Bundestag on May 6. Merz, aged 69, garnered 325 votes in favor, 289 against, with one abstention and three void ballots, after an initial vote on the same day saw him fall short with only 310 votes, a significant blow to his political credibility.

The absolute majority required for election was set at 316 votes in the newly inaugurated 21st legislature, which comprises 630 seats.

The first ballot's outcome raised concerns among coalition partners, particularly among the Social Democrats of the SPD, which forms a 'big coalition' with the CDU and the Bavarian CSU, holding a total of 328 seats.

The surprising lack of support in the first vote indicated possible dissent within the expected governing majority.

Following the failed first ballot, a second voting round was arranged with concurrence from all parliamentary groups.

Merz’s election marks him as the tenth Chancellor of Germany since the end of World War II. Upon formal appointment by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Merz will take an oath on the constitution within the Bundestag, and subsequently appoint his cabinet before affirming its members in a parliamentary session.

Merz’s agenda includes a series of crucial upcoming engagements.

These include discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw the following day.

On May 9, Merz is expected to attend a meeting in Brussels with leaders from the European Union and NATO.

The coalition formed between the CDU and SPD has reached an understanding on a government agenda as early as April, with the final list of the ministerial team released just a day prior to Merz’s election.

Despite yesterday’s misstep, Merz has vowed to provide a ‘strong’ and ‘reliable’ government capable of addressing Germany’s pressing challenges, particularly as the nation seeks to restore its economic leadership in Europe.

As congratulations from European leaders stream in, including notes from EU officials expressing eagerness for collaborative efforts on a common European agenda, opposition figures have voiced skepticism.

Bernd Baumann, leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), characterized Merz's initial defeat in the first ballot as indicative of instability in the new government.

The AfD, which has been labeled a ‘right-wing extremist organization’ by the Federal Counterintelligence Services following a three-year investigation, is anticipated to monitor the dynamics of Merz's government, projecting potential challenges ahead as it capitalizes on public sentiment regarding the CDU's governance.