Friedrich Merz confirmed as German chancellor after second Bundestag vote

Merz takes office with weakened mandate after historic failed first vote in parliament.

Lawmakers applaud Friedrich Merz after he receives parliamentary approval to become Germany’s new chancellor, on May 6. Photo by Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Friedrich Merz has been confirmed as German chancellor following an unprecedented second vote in the Bundestag, after failing to secure enough support on his first attempt. The conservative leader, head of the center-right CDU/CSU alliance, officially became Germany’s new chancellor with 325 votes — narrowly surpassing the 316-vote threshold needed in the 630-member parliament.

The Friedrich Merz confirmed as German chancellor outcome came only after a dramatic few hours in Berlin’s political center on Tuesday, exposing deep fractures within the coalition government. Initially, Merz fell short by six votes, gaining only 310 despite the coalition holding 328 seats. The result sent shockwaves through German politics and marked the first time since the end of World War II that a chancellor-designate failed to pass a first-round vote.

The failed initial vote temporarily delayed Merz's succession from outgoing SPD Chancellor Olaf Scholz and prompted a frenzy of behind-the-scenes consultations involving parliamentarians and constitutional advisors. Voting in the Bundestag is secret, meaning it's unlikely the dissenters will ever be identified. But their impact was unmistakable — publicly undermining Merz on what was meant to be a ceremonial and confident affirmation of his new leadership.

Coalition cracks and confidence issues

The coalition that backed Merz includes his CDU/CSU bloc and the center-left Social Democrats. However, the failure to deliver a majority on the first vote highlights underlying tensions. While Merz ultimately won the second vote and was formally appointed by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the process left his authority weakened before he even assumed office.

Merz was officially sworn in by the Bundestag speaker after the vote and took part in a subdued handover ceremony with Scholz. On Wednesday, he is set to embark on his first diplomatic trip as chancellor, traveling to Paris for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, followed by a visit to Warsaw to meet Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Despite securing the title, the close vote has fueled speculation over Merz’s ability to govern effectively. His approval ratings were already low heading into the confirmation, and the political stumble has only added to doubts surrounding his leadership. Analysts suggest the Bundestag vote may foreshadow difficulty in passing key legislation, with dissenters inside the coalition likely to test Merz’s influence in the months ahead.

Warnings from economists and political analysts

Commentators and experts were quick to interpret the significance of the day’s events. Antonio Barroso, a senior analyst with Bloomberg Economics, warned that disunity within the ruling coalition could obstruct critical economic decisions. “The greater risk is that some dissenters fundamentally oppose key parts of the coalition agenda,” Barroso noted. “This could complicate efforts to pass economic measures, raising the risk of budget delays and reduced fiscal stimulus in the short term.”

Andrea Roemmele, professor at the Hertie School in Berlin, added that Merz is entering office “with two black eyes and weak knees.” Speaking to public broadcaster ARD, Roemmele said Merz looked visibly shaken by the voting drama and would need to work hard to maintain unity among coalition partners.

“The parliamentary group leaders will have to ensure that their factions remain aligned if Merz wants to avoid more embarrassing episodes like this,” she added.

A chancellor at a crossroads

Friedrich Merz assumes office at a critical time for Germany. The country has been battling economic stagnation after consecutive years of recession, and its political landscape is increasingly unstable. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, recently declared a right-wing extremist organization by Germany’s domestic intelligence service, continues to gain ground — particularly in the eastern regions of the country. In some polls, the AfD has overtaken Merz’s own CDU/CSU bloc, becoming the primary opposition force.

AfD leaders were quick to pounce on Merz’s initial failure in the Bundestag. Co-leader Alice Weidel declared on social media that the coalition “was built on a weak foundation.” She later told German television that Merz should step aside to allow new elections. “We can only demand that common sense prevails, Mr. Merz withdraws and the path is opened for a fresh election,” Weidel said.

Policy momentum and early priorities

Despite the political turbulence, Merz's government is now in a position to push forward several major policy initiatives. One key victory came earlier this year when the CDU/CSU, Social Democrats, and Greens agreed to form a €500 billion ($567 billion) infrastructure investment fund. This fund will allow immediate spending on highways, railways, and bridges — all critical elements of Germany’s aging public infrastructure.

In addition, changes to constitutional borrowing limits — passed with support from all major parties — will allow defense spending to bypass traditional fiscal restraints. This opens the door to a long-overdue modernization of the German armed forces, a priority intensified by Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

Merz has signaled that both infrastructure and defense are high on his agenda. However, the Bundestag vote outcome suggests that pushing these initiatives through will require careful coalition management and constant negotiation.

A long-awaited rise to the top

Merz’s rise to the chancellorship caps a tumultuous political career. After serving in the Bundestag through the early 2000s, he stepped away from politics in 2009 following clashes with then-Chancellor Angela Merkel. He returned more than a decade later and struggled through two failed attempts to lead the CDU before finally claiming party leadership in late 2021.

Merkel was present in the Bundestag during Tuesday’s vote, watching as her former rival finally achieved the role she held for 16 years. But Merz’s road to power was unlike Merkel’s — filled with setbacks, delays, and internal divisions that could continue to haunt him throughout his term.

For now, the message from Tuesday is clear: Merz has been Friedrich Merz confirmed as German chancellor, but not without controversy, and certainly not with a full mandate of trust from his own ranks. Whether he can consolidate power and steer Germany through economic and political uncertainty remains to be seen.