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Politics
Friedrich Merz fails to be elected German chancellor in first ballot
Following the result, the parliamentary session was adjourned to allow the party groups to consult.
(Photo by Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Nick Alipour Euractiv May 6, 2025 10:19 1 min. read News
BERLIN – Germany's designated chancellor, Friedrich Merz, failed on Tuesday to receive the necessary majority in parliament to be elected in the first ballot.
Only 310 of 630 delegates voted for the leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU), short of the required absolute majority of 316 votes. 307 MPs voted against him, while three MPs abstained.
The government coalition holds a 12-seat majority in the parliament and comprises Merz's CDU, their Bavarian allies, the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democrats (SPD).
It is the first time ever that a designated chancellor has failed to get elected on the first ballot. Following the result, the session was adjourned to allow the parliamentary groups to consult.
Merz may afterwards make a second and third attempt to get elected. A second ballot, however, may not take place today unless a two-thirds majority vote is in favour of it, which the current coalition falls short of.
In the third and final ballot, only a relative majority is needed, which Merz has already received in the first round.
If Merz gets elected with a relative majority in the third ballot, Steinmeier may appoint him within seven days or dissolve the Bundestag and schedule snap elections.
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Updated: 11:37
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