Berlin, 6 May 2025 — Friedrich Merz has failed to secure the required parliamentary majority in the first round of voting to become Germany’s next Chancellor, marking a historic and politically turbulent moment in the Bundestag.
The vote, held under heightened scrutiny, exposed deep divisions within the prospective CDU/CSU–SPD coalition and left Germany’s political future temporarily uncertain.
For the first time in post-war German history, a Chancellor-designate has fallen short in the initial parliamentary ballot. While the Union and Social Democrats command a theoretical majority, the outcome of Tuesday’s vote revealed that not all members of the governing bloc supported the CDU leader. The precise margin and source of the dissent remain unclear, but internal discontent is now undeniable.
Senior figures from both parties moved swiftly to contain the fallout. CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann and SPD Chairman Lars Klingbeil insisted their respective parties remained committed to Merz’s candidacy. Jens Spahn, a close ally of Merz, confirmed that he would stand again in a second vote. However, neither the timing nor the parliamentary procedure for such a vote had been formally resolved as of Tuesday afternoon.
According to Bundestag rules, a second vote may only be held within 48 hours if all parliamentary groups agree to waive the formal notification period. While the Left Party (Die Linke) and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) expressed openness to a faster timetable, no cross-party consensus had been reached.
The delay comes at a particularly inopportune time. Merz is scheduled to make inaugural visits to Paris and Warsaw on Wednesday, and a commemorative session marking the 80th anniversary of the end of National Socialism is planned in the Bundestag for Thursday. As a result, coalition negotiators were under pressure to agree a path forward by Wednesday morning.
Inside the Bundestag, confusion prevailed. Fraktionschefs and parliamentary managers from CDU/CSU and SPD met throughout the day to explore procedural options. Several senior MPs suggested a second vote could be held on Wednesday if the required waivers were secured. Failing that, the next legal window would fall on Friday, further delaying government formation.
The failed vote has triggered intense speculation over the source of dissent. While SPD leaders insisted their group had voted unanimously, observers pointed to longstanding tensions between Merz and elements of both parliamentary groups. Within the CDU, dissatisfaction had grown over perceived exclusion of regional interests—particularly in eastern Germany and from state branches such as Lower Saxony—during early cabinet discussions. Merz’s earlier willingness to align with AfD votes in key parliamentary decisions also left him politically exposed.
Former Green Minister Renate Künast described the result as a “thunderclap”, suggesting Merz’s conduct had alienated potential allies. Left Party leaders were more direct. Sören Pellmann called the failed vote a “historic defeat”, while Jan van Aken cited Merz’s record of “division, not unity”.
Despite the public criticism, Merz retained the visible support of his party. Following the vote, CDU/CSU members gave him a standing ovation upon his return to the Fraktionssaal. Nonetheless, the political damage was done. The leadership now faces the immediate challenge of rebuilding confidence within its ranks ahead of the next vote.
The economic reaction was swift. Germany’s DAX index fell by more than 1% after the result, reflecting investor concerns over political uncertainty in Europe’s largest economy. The German Association of Young Entrepreneurs warned of the risks posed by “partisan manoeuvring” at a time of economic fragility, international conflict, and rising public disenchantment with political institutions.
Outside observers also questioned whether the result could trigger deeper instability. Politologist Karl-Rudolf Korte said the failed vote “punctured the aura” of a new beginning for Merz, but added that effective governance could still emerge following a second or even third round. He warned, however, that “majorities must be built—they do not exist automatically”.
In the absence of a new Chancellor, Olaf Scholz will continue in a caretaker role. Article 69 of the Basic Law stipulates that the outgoing government remains in office until successors are appointed. Scholz, who took part in a ceremonial farewell only one day earlier, now finds himself unexpectedly extending his tenure.
Negotiations over the second vote are ongoing. While several parliamentary leaders have voiced hopes for a swift resolution, the absence of clarity in the wake of Tuesday’s events signals a difficult road ahead. If no majority is reached in the next two rounds, Germany could ultimately face new federal elections—an outcome most parties are keen to avoid.
For now, the Bundestag remains in limbo, with Merz’s future as Chancellor uncertain and the cohesion of the proposed grand coalition under serious strain.
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