Who is Friedrich Merz, German election winner tipped to be chancellor

Friedrich Merz, the 69-year-old conservative leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has become Germany's 10th chancellor following his party's victory in the February 2025 election.

After forming a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD), Merz was sworn in on May 6, 2025, in a historic parliamentary session that required an unprecedented second round of voting. His rise to power marks the conclusion of a remarkable political comeback and presents Germany with a leader who promises significant policy shifts after years of centrist governance under Angela Merkel.

Personal Background and Early Career
Born on November 11, 1955, in Brilon, Germany, Friedrich Merz stands at an impressive 6'5¼" (1.96 m) tall. His journey began in the conservative, predominantly Catholic region of Sauerland in North Rhine-Westphalia, where he still resides today. Merz's formal education included studying law and political science in Bonn from 1976 to 1981, following his completion of military service.

His professional career began in the legal field, working as a judge at Saarbrücken District Court from 1985 to 1986 before becoming an attorney at law. Before fully entering politics, he served as an officer at the German Chemical Industry Association in Frankfurt/Bonn from 1986 to 1989, which helped establish his credentials in Germany's business sector.

Merz's political involvement started early when he joined the CDU's youth wing, the Young Union, at the age of seventeen in 1972. By 1980, he had risen to become President of the Brilon branch of the Young Union, signaling his early leadership ambitions.

Political Journey to Chancellorship
Merz's political career has been marked by significant achievements, setbacks, and a noteworthy comeback. His first major political role came in 1989 when he was elected to the European Parliament, where he served until 1994. He then entered the German Bundestag, serving from 1994 to 2009. During this period, he rose to prominence within the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, serving as its chairman from 2000 to 2002.

His initial political career was derailed by his rivalry with Angela Merkel. As Merkel wrote in her 2024 memoir about their relationship: "There was one problem, right from the start. We both wanted to be the boss". After losing the party leadership battle to Merkel, Merz stepped away from politics in 2009.

For nearly a decade, Merz focused on his career in the private sector, working as a corporate lawyer at the international law firm Mayer Brown LLP and serving as chairman of BlackRock Germany from 2016 to 2020. He also chaired Atlantik-Brücke e.V., a cross-party lobbying group working with politicians and business leaders in Europe and the United States, from 2009 to 2019.

Political Comeback and Rise to Power
What many observers describe as an "unlikely third-act triumph" began in 2018 when Merz announced his return to politics after Angela Merkel stated she would not seek another term as chancellor. Despite failing in his first two attempts to become CDU party leader in 2018 and 2021, he persisted and finally succeeded in becoming CDU Chairman in 2022 with 62.1% of the membership vote.

In September 2024, Merz became the Union's designated candidate for Chancellor in the 2025 federal election after prominent CDU/CSU figures Hendrik Wüst and Markus Söder declined to run. The election was called seven months ahead of schedule due to the collapse of the incumbent governing coalition in November 2024.

The Historic Path to Chancellorship
Merz's path to becoming chancellor culminated dramatically on May 6, 2025. In an unprecedented development for German politics, he failed to secure the necessary majority in the first round of voting in the Bundestag. Despite his coalition having 328 seats (more than the 316 required for a majority), Merz received only 310 votes in the first round.

This marked the first time in the federal republic's history that an incoming chancellor failed to secure the majority of votes on the first ballot after winning an election and securing a successful coalition agreement. The setback prompted opposition parties, including the Alternative for Germany (AfD), to call for Merz to step down and for new elections.

However, a second vote was scheduled later the same day, during which Merz won 325 votes, surpassing the required threshold and officially becoming Germany's 10th chancellor. The initial failure revealed potential internal dissent within his coalition, though it remains unclear whether the dissenters came from within the CDU or the SPD.

Political Positions and Policy Agenda
Merz represents a significant shift from Angela Merkel's centrist approach to governance. Unlike Merkel's calm, consensus-building style that helped her win broad support, Merz has steered the CDU further toward the right with a more confrontational approach. This has made him a polarizing figure, with a recent poll showing only 38% of Germans supporting him as chancellor, while 56% disapprove.

Domestic Policy
Merz has promised fundamental policy shifts, including stricter migration controls and market-friendly reforms to revitalize Germany's stagnating economy. He faces the immediate challenge of rebuilding voter trust and containing the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has become the primary opposition in the Bundestag.

In a significant policy reversal, Merz, who once positioned himself as "the last line of defence against debt madness," has shifted his stance on Germany's debt limitations. His government has already passed legislation exempting defense and security expenditures from Germany's strict debt regulations and is planning a €500 billion ($570 billion) infrastructure investment program.

Foreign Policy Agenda
On foreign policy, Merz aims to foster constructive dialogue with US President Donald Trump while strengthening EU unity to address trade tensions. He has emphasized Germany's commitment to taking greater responsibility for European security, particularly given America's diminishing security commitments to Europe.

Merz has pledged to maintain military support for Ukraine and has advocated for supplying Taurus cruise missiles to Ukrainian forces, going beyond the limits set by his predecessor. He has also indicated that his first international visits will be to Paris and Warsaw, areas he claims were neglected under Olaf Scholz's leadership.

Strengths and Criticisms
Merz's supporters praise him as a leader who understands economic challenges and offers practical solutions, citing his blend of political and business leadership experience as making him well-suited to address Germany's economic challenges. He has been characterized as "transatlantic, friend of Europe, and reformer," suggesting he might be "precisely the right individual for the current era".

However, critics point to his lack of executive experience when questioning his ability to lead Europe's largest economy through its current challenges. Notably, Merz has never held a government position before becoming chancellor – having never served as a state premier or federal minister. At 69, he is also the oldest individual to assume the chancellorship since Konrad Adenauer, the first leader of post-war Germany.

Current Challenges and Future Outlook
Merz assumes leadership during what has been described as the most daunting period for Germany since reunification 35 years ago. His government faces numerous challenges, including:

1. Revitalizing Germany's sluggish economy amid global economic uncertainties
2. Addressing the country's deteriorating infrastructure through major investments
3. Containing the rise of the far-right AfD, which has been officially designated as an extremist party by German domestic intelligence
4. Navigating complex relationships with Donald Trump's administration in the United States
5. Strengthening European unity while balancing transatlantic relationships
6. Managing a narrow parliamentary majority with a coalition that holds only a dozen seats more than necessary
    

Conclusion
Friedrich Merz's rise to become Germany's chancellor represents both a personal vindication after years in the political wilderness and a significant shift in German politics away from the Merkel era. His journey from political exile to the chancellery has been described as an "unlikely third-act triumph" for someone who "just seven years ago was seen as a failed politician".

As he begins his tenure, Merz faces the substantial challenge of uniting a divided country while implementing his vision for Germany's future. His success will depend on his ability to translate his business experience and political knowledge into effective governance, particularly in addressing Germany's economic challenges and navigating a complex international landscape. Whether his confrontational style and more conservative approach will help or hinder these efforts remains to be seen as Germany enters this new political chapter.