Friedrich Merz has officially become Germany’s 10th chancellor since World War II, taking office after a dramatic two-round vote in parliament that exposed early tensions within his newly formed coalition government. Merz, the 69-year-old leader of the CDU/CSU political alliance, was confirmed in a second round on Tuesday, securing 325 votes — nine above the absolute majority threshold of 316.
This victory followed a failure in the first round, where he received only 310 votes despite his coalition controlling 328 seats. The vote shortfall raised concerns about internal unity, with signs of dissatisfaction over lawmakers over cabinet appointments, fiscal policy shifts, and coalition compromises. Merz, however, downplayed the incident, stating that he preferred to move forward and focus on governing rather than speculating on individual motives.
After the vote, Merz was formally nominated by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Bellevue Palace before returning to the Reichstag to take the oath of office. He will be making his first international visits as chancellor to France and Poland this week to reassert Germany’s presence in European affairs following months of political instability.
Merz’s bloc won 28.5 percent of the vote in the February federal election but needed the SPD (Social Democratic Party) as a coalition partner to form a government. Their coalition agreement reportedly includes measures to reduce corporate taxes, lower energy costs, increase military spending, and reaffirm support for Ukraine. The partnership has already drawn scrutiny for a last-minute borrowing package pushed through by the outgoing government, which some CDU/CSU members saw as contradicting their stance on fiscal discipline.
In the broader geopolitical context, Merz takes charge at a challenging time. The war in Ukraine continues, and Europe is in urgent talks over long-term security guarantees. Meanwhile, the German economy faces pressure from new U.S. tariffs, a lingering energy crisis, and rising competition from China. On Thursday, Merz is expected to hold a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, with a potential in-person meeting before the NATO summit in June.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed Merz’s election, highlighting the potential for cooperation in reviving competitiveness, particularly in the automotive sector, and addressing issues such as irregular migration.
While Merz inherits a fragile mandate, his experience in European politics and his cabinet’s emphasis on expertise signal a push for renewal — one that Germany’s partners will watch closely.
