Friedrich Merz has officially been confirmed as Germany’s new chancellor after securing 325 votes in the Bundestag, surpassing the 316 required for a majority. The vote followed an earlier failed attempt in which Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), fell short by six votes—an unprecedented setback in modern German politics.
In Tuesday’s successful second vote, 289 MPs voted against Merz, with one abstention and three invalid ballots. Though the result brought relief to the ruling coalition, celebrations were noticeably restrained given the earlier embarrassment.
Merz accepted the appointment and is set to meet President Frank-Walter Steinmeier before returning to parliament for the official oath-taking ceremony, expected around 6:15 p.m. Berlin time.
Following the initial defeat, the national conservative AfD had called for new elections, claiming the failed vote was a sign of deep division and a “good day for Germany.”
