Frederick Merz has failed to secure adequate support to become the next Chancellor of Germany, falling less than six votes in the first round of Bundestag voting. In a secret voting held on Tuesday, Merz received 310 votes, just under the requirement of 316 required to secure the majority in the 630 -member Parliament.
The result was a surprising shock for the conservative leader, which was expecting the Sholaz to succeed after the collapse of the scool’s coalition government last year. The parties supporting the merge had already approved a coalition deal, giving them a narrow majority of 328 seats. However, some MPs see broken ranks.
Now Bundestag will have two more voting rounds, and in the third and final round, a simple majority MPs would be sufficient to see them elected. In World War II, the vote held on the eve of the 80th anniversary of Germany in the Second World War first marked the first time that a Chancellor candidate has failed in the first round after the war.
It was expected to be a formality, supported by Merz with his CDU/CSU alliance and Center-Left SPD, who holds 328 seats simultaneously. But three MPs avoided, one ballot was invalid, and nine were absent, narrowing their way. The results for Germany (AFD) got away with cheers by MPs, who recently scored more than 20% in the election.
After the collapse of its three-sided alliance in November, Merz is aiming to replace Olaf Sholz. The CDU leader has promised to focus on economic revival, border security and a tough stance on migration. His government-in-weting has already approved a large-scale spent package for infrastructure and reconstruction of low military.
But his failure to win over the first ballot exposed tension in the new alliance and with increasing public dissatisfaction, now officially labeled the “right -wing extremist” party by Germany’s intelligence service. The classification provoked backlash from US authorities such as state secretary Marco Rubio, who accused Germany of targeting a political rival.
Bundestag has 14 days to select a Chancellor. If any required votes are not secured, President Frank-Walter can appoint a steinmier candidate with the most support or dissolve Parliament for a new election.
