Merz fails to secure chancellorship in first round vote

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) alliance in Germany, failed to obtain the necessary majority in the first round of the chancellorship vote in the Federal Parliament (Bundestag) and was not elected as Germany’s chancellor.

According to the Bild daily, Merz received 310 votes in favor and 307 against in the first round of voting, while he needed the support of at least 316 of the 630 members of parliament to be elected chancellor.

This situation occurred despite the CDU/CSU alliance having reached an agreement with the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) to form a government coalition.

The two parties together hold 328 seats in parliament, which under normal circumstances should have guaranteed Merz’s election.

This event was the first instance in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany where a chancellor candidate, following successful coalition talks, did not receive the support of an absolute majority in the first round.

It was stated that Merz was expected to be appointed as chancellor on May 6, take the oath, and the cabinet was expected to start its duty the same evening.

Furthermore, Merz was planned to make an official visit to France on May 7, followed by a visit to Poland.

In a statement from the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) parliamentary group, it was stated that Merz’s failure in the vote was the fault of the CDU/CSU, and that all social democrats were present in the hall and voted “yes”.

A source close to SPD Chairman Lars Klingbeil told Bild, “We assume full support was given from our side. [From the party group] There were no missing members of parliament.”

Since the voting was secret, it is not yet possible to confirm or deny this claim.

According to the German Constitution, if a chancellor candidate is not elected in the first round, the Bundestag can elect the same candidate or another candidate with an absolute majority within 14 days.

If the Bundestag cannot determine the future chancellor in the third attempt, a simple majority will be sufficient; meaning the person who receives the most votes will win.

For comparison, the outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz managed to win in the first round of the secret ballot; 395 of the 736 members of parliament at that time voted for him.

The conservative CDU/CSU alliance led by Friedrich Merz had come first in the early parliamentary elections held in late February 2025.

Following this result, the 69-year-old Merz was referred to as the country’s future chancellor.