For the first time in post-World War II Germany, CDU leader Friedrich Merz lost the majority vote in the Bundestag to become chancellor. Despite backing from the SPD coalition, Merz’s attempt failed due to opposition from CDU rivals, the decline of the SPD, and growing support for the far-right AfD.
This defeat throws German politics into limbo and triggers a constitutional process that may lead to a second round of voting or a looming leadership crisis.
Coalition Majority Falls Short
Friedrich Merz’s CDU/CSU coalition, together with the SPD, controlled 328 seats—enough for the 316-vote majority needed. But in the secret vote, Friedrich Merz received only 310 votes. This deficit indicates internal opposition within the coalition, as some members abstained or voted against the deal. The Bundestag now has 14 days to choose a chancellor by an absolute majority. If that fails, a third round can go ahead, requiring only a simple majority.
SPD’s Poor Showing and Coalition Tensions
The entry of the SPD into the coalition follows its worst post-war election performance, with only 16.4% of the vote. The weak performance has been questioned in terms of the party’s influence and stability in the coalition. The surprise failure to elect Merz has put additional pressure on the cohesion of the coalition and the role of the SPD within it.
The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party became the second-strongest party in the recent election. Although politically isolated as a result of its designation as a “right-wing extremist” group by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the AfD’s performance is a reflection of a changing political climate. The party has condemned the coalition’s weakness and demanded fresh elections.
Merz’s inability to win the chancellorship in the first round is unprecedented and hints at possible instability in Germany’s political scene. The coalition now has to manage internal disputes and outside pressure to come up with a unified position in future votes. The result will have a major impact on Germany’s domestic policies as well as its international role.
