Merz Becomes German Chancellor After Second-Round Vote

Friedrich Merz was elected Germany’s new chancellor after a dramatic second round of voting, narrowly overcoming a first-round defeat that rattled investors and raised questions about his coalition’s unity, Stefanie Dazio and Kirsten Grieshaber reported for the Associated Press on May 7, 2025.

Merz's government now faces the task of jumpstarting Germany’s stagnant economy and confronting the growing influence of the far-right Alternative for Germany party. I Photo: European People’s Party / Wikimedia Commons

Merz, the conservative leader and head of the center-right Union bloc, is the first postwar chancellor candidate to fail on an initial vote. His initial tally of 310 votes fell short of the 316-vote threshold, despite his coalition holding 328 seats. The rare defeat briefly sent the DAX index down 1.8%.

The second vote, held hours later, gave Merz 325 votes—just enough to clear the bar and become Germany’s 10th chancellor since World War II. His government now faces the task of jumpstarting Germany’s stagnant economy and confronting the growing influence of the far-right Alternative for Germany party.

Merz’s leadership is expected to shape Europe’s response to the war in Ukraine and the escalating global trade disputes, including those driven by U.S. President Trump.

“The whole of Europe, perhaps even the whole world, is watching,” said Jens Spahn, a senior leader in Merz’s bloc.