Merz fails to secure German chancellorship in first round of voting

In a historic and unexpected turn of events, Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), failed to secure the German chancellorship in the first round of voting in the Bundestag on May 6.

Merz’s bid to become the 10th chancellor of Germany since World War II fell short by six votes, a stunning defeat for a candidate who had been widely expected to win easily, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Merz needed a majority of 316 votes out of the 630 members of the Bundestag in a secret ballot, but he only garnered 310 votes—well below the 328 seats held by his coalition. The result marks the first time in post-war German history that a candidate has failed to win the chancellorship on the first ballot.

The Bundestag now faces the complex task of regrouping to discuss the next steps in the election process. However, it remains unclear how long the process will take. According to the German constitution, the lower house of parliament has 14 days to elect a candidate with an absolute majority. During this period, Merz can re-enter the race, but other lawmakers may also put forward their own candidacies. There is no limit to the number of ballots that can be held during the two-week period.

If no candidate secures the required majority, the constitution allows the president to either appoint the candidate with the most votes as chancellor or dissolve the Bundestag and call for a new national election.

Merz, who is seeking to lead Europe’s largest economy after the collapse of Olaf Scholz’s government last year, faces significant challenges. Germany, a diplomatic and economic heavyweight in the European Union, grapples with pressing issues such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, strained international relations following the Trump administration’s trade policies, and growing domestic concerns like economic stagnation and the rise of the far-right, anti-immigrant party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD).

The timing of May 6 vote was particularly symbolic, taking place just one day before the 80th anniversary of Germany’s unconditional surrender in World War II. The ballots were cast in the restored Reichstag building, where remnants of Soviet graffiti from the war’s end have been preserved in several locations.

Merz’s failure to secure the chancellorship on the first ballot adds further complications for the country’s political future. Whomever is ultimately elected will need to navigate the challenges posed by the far-right AfD party, which has grown in influence despite being rejected by mainstream German parties. These parties have maintained a so-called "firewall" against collaboration with far-right groups, a policy upheld since the end of World War II.

By Vafa Guliyeva