Shock news: Merz fails to win majority in first round
Christian Democrat Friedrich Merz fails to win a majority as new Chancellor in the German Bundestag, reports Focus. He needed 316 yes votes but only received 310. Merz's chances are not over – he could be elected in the second round. But the result is seen as a major setback for him.
Ekot's Germany correspondent Daniel Alling notes that it is not the first time that a German Chancellor has not been elected in the first round. But in those cases it has happened with a large majority, while in Merz's case it is only a matter of a few votes. The result means that some of Merz's own allies voted against him, since the German Christian Democrats (CDU and CSU) and the Social Democrats have a joint majority.
- The question is why, says Alling.
The Bundestag now has two weeks to elect Merz or another candidate for chancellor. The second round of voting could take place as early as today.
Turnaround in Germany – Merz elected in second round
Christian Democrat Friedrich Merz can breathe a sigh of relief. The German parliament will vote him in as the new chancellor in the second round of voting today, writes Bild.
The first round was a shock for Merz, who did not receive the 316 votes required, but when the Bundestag reconvened on Tuesday afternoon, the outcome was different.
After the historic failure in the first round, Merz finally received 325 votes in the second round. He will lead a coalition government consisting of his own party, the CDU, and the social democratic SPD.
Christian Democrat Friedrich Merz fails to win a majority as new Chancellor in the German Bundestag, reports Focus. He needed 316 yes votes but only received 310. Merz's chances are not over – he could be elected in the second round. But the result is seen as a major setback for him.
Ekot's Germany correspondent Daniel Alling notes that it is not the first time that a German Chancellor has not been elected in the first round. But in those cases it has happened with a large majority, while in Merz's case it is only a matter of a few votes. The result means that some of Merz's own allies voted against him, since the German Christian Democrats (CDU and CSU) and the Social Democrats have a joint majority.
- The question is why, says Alling.
The Bundestag now has two weeks to elect Merz or another candidate for chancellor. The second round of voting could take place as early as today.
Turnaround in Germany – Merz elected in second round
Christian Democrat Friedrich Merz can breathe a sigh of relief. The German parliament will vote him in as the new chancellor in the second round of voting today, writes Bild.
The first round was a shock for Merz, who did not receive the 316 votes required, but when the Bundestag reconvened on Tuesday afternoon, the outcome was different.
After the historic failure in the first round, Merz finally received 325 votes in the second round. He will lead a coalition government consisting of his own party, the CDU, and the social democratic SPD.
Analysis: Humiliated before he even had time to start
A shadow hangs over the leadership of the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, writes Der Spiegel's Maria Fiedler after the Christian Democrat was first voted down by parliament and then approved in a second round.
Merz was humiliated before he even had time to start seriously, she writes and notes that several members of Merz's government coalition voted him down earlier on Tuesday. It may have been disappointed party colleagues or Social Democrats who are irritated that they did not receive ministerial posts, but we will never know, writes Fiedler.
"It is clear, however, that the CDU leader lacks the unconditional support he needs within the coalition. He lacks trust."
SVT's Europe correspondent Ulrika Bergsten guesses that these are Social Democrats who saw an opportunity to make a mark in the first round. They probably wanted to show that they are not completely satisfied with the policies that Merz wants to pursue, she reasons.
– These are two parties that were not particularly close to each other beforehand. This applies to the debt ceiling, support for Ukraine, climate policy and a number of areas.
A shadow hangs over the leadership of the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, writes Der Spiegel's Maria Fiedler after the Christian Democrat was first voted down by parliament and then approved in a second round.
Merz was humiliated before he even had time to start seriously, she writes and notes that several members of Merz's government coalition voted him down earlier on Tuesday. It may have been disappointed party colleagues or Social Democrats who are irritated that they did not receive ministerial posts, but we will never know, writes Fiedler.
"It is clear, however, that the CDU leader lacks the unconditional support he needs within the coalition. He lacks trust."
SVT's Europe correspondent Ulrika Bergsten guesses that these are Social Democrats who saw an opportunity to make a mark in the first round. They probably wanted to show that they are not completely satisfied with the policies that Merz wants to pursue, she reasons.
– These are two parties that were not particularly close to each other beforehand. This applies to the debt ceiling, support for Ukraine, climate policy and a number of areas.
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