Friedrich Merz Becomes Chancellor Amidst Weakened Authority

After a tumultuous journey, Friedrich Merz secured the support of the German Federal Parliament, paving the way for him to become the country's new chancellor. This victory, however, came at a cost, significantly weakening his executive authority.

In a second round of voting, following emergency consultations with constitutional experts, Merz garnered 325 votes, surpassing the required 316 votes out of a total of 630 seats. His initial attempt fell short with only 310 votes, despite his governing coalition holding 328 seats in the Bundestag.

Earlier in the day, lawmakers were taken aback when Merz failed to secure a majority in the first round of voting, which was initially expected to be a mere formality to confirm his leadership of the coalition government formed by the center-right Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union and the center-left Social Democratic Party.

This unprecedented situation, where a designated chancellor candidate failed to secure a majority in the first round of voting, has not occurred since World War II. This delay in Merz's planned succession of Olaf Scholz has left the country in uncharted territory.

Due to the anonymous nature of the voting process, the identities of the lawmakers who did not support Merz may remain unknown, fueling speculation about their motives.

Following his confirmation through the vote, Merz will receive his formal appointment from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. He will then take the oath of office under the chairmanship of the Bundestag President, complete the handover with Scholz, and convene the first meeting of the new cabinet.

Merz is scheduled to embark on his first official visit on Wednesday, beginning with a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, followed by a visit to Warsaw to meet with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

This political drama underscores the challenges Merz faces as he assumes leadership of Europe's largest economy. The erosion of his executive authority, coupled with the unexpected resistance within his own coalition, sets a precarious stage for his tenure. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining how Merz navigates these obstacles and establishes his leadership.