May 6, 2025, Friedrich Merz was elected as Germany’s Chancellor following a historic first-round defeat in the Bundestag. In the initial vote, Merz received only 310 votes, falling short of the 316 required for an absolute majority. This marked the first time since World War II that a chancellor candidate failed to secure the necessary votes in the first round. However, in the subsequent second-round vote, Merz secured 325 votes, surpassing the required majority and officially becoming Germany’s 10th post-war chancellor.
Merz leads a coalition government formed by his center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), its Bavarian sister party Christian Social Union (CSU), and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD). The coalition agreement includes plans to revive Germany’s economy, reduce corporate taxes, lower energy prices, and increase military spending. Additionally, the coalition pledges strong support for Ukraine amid ongoing regional tensions.
Despite the initial setback, Merz’s election is seen as a step toward restoring German leadership on the world stage, especially in the face of challenges such as global trade tensions and shifting alliances.