Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s conservative CDU/CSU alliance, did not secure the parliamentary majority needed to become chancellor in the first round of voting on Tuesday. Merz received 310 votes—six short of the required 316—despite recently forming a coalition agreement with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD).
Bundestag President Julia Kloeckner announced the shortfall and temporarily suspended the session, allowing parties time to reassess their positions. Lawmakers now have 14 days to elect Merz or nominate an alternative candidate through another absolute majority vote. A second ballot could be held as early as the same day.
Although Merz’s CDU/CSU won the February election with 28.5% of the vote, forming a government required a coalition. The SPD, Merz’s coalition partner, received just 16.4%, its poorest showing since World War II.
A seasoned politician and staunch conservative, Merz has aimed to steer the CDU away from Angela Merkel’s centrist legacy toward a more defined right-leaning, pro-business platform. His inability to secure the chancellorship on the first attempt highlights potential instability in the new coalition.
