Merz wins chancellorship after shock first-round failure

Friedrich Merz has been elected as Germany’s new chancellor after surviving a dramatic first-round defeat in parliament, raising fresh questions about the stability of his coalition and the far-right’s growing influence.

Friedrich Merz secured his position as Germany’s 10th postwar chancellor on Tuesday, winning 325 votes in a second-round ballot after a surprise failure in the first round earlier the same day.

Needing 316 votes to pass, Merz fell short with just 310 votes in round one — despite his coalition controlling 328 seats. The secret ballot left open the question of who defected. His second-round victory, however, ensured no constitutional crisis would follow.

Merz leads a coalition made up of his Christian Democratic Union, the Christian Social Union, and the Social Democrats, led by outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The vote, held on the eve of the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s surrender, was seen as symbolic amid war in Ukraine and rising far-right support at home.

The conservative’s shaky first-round showing was seized upon by opposition leader Alice Weidel of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), who called it proof of a “weak foundation” and pushed for new elections.

AfD, now Germany’s largest opposition party, was excluded from coalition talks due to a longstanding political firewall against the far right. The party was recently classified as a “right-wing extremist” group by the domestic intelligence agency, prompting backlash from U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Germany’s Foreign Ministry defended the classification, insisting it remains within constitutional law. Merz has yet to comment on the decision.

The chancellor faces immediate pressure: to sustain support for Ukraine as Trump’s White House questions NATO commitments, to confront economic stagnation after two years of shrinkage, and to modernise a country increasingly divided over migration and globalisation.

Merz’s coalition promises tax cuts, economic stimulus, and tougher migration controls — while aiming to preserve European unity as Trump allies amplify voices from Germany’s far right.

Germany remains the EU’s largest economy and a major military spender, ranking fourth globally. It passed a €100 billion defence upgrade in 2022 and continues to support Kyiv with substantial military aid.

But with the far right rising and transatlantic tensions deepening, Merz’s narrow win may be just the beginning of a difficult term.