Germany's Merz Stumbles in Historic Chancellor Vote Failure
In an unprecedented blow to Germany’s political establishment, conservative leader Friedrich Merz failed to secure enough votes in the Bundestag on Tuesday to become chancellor, plunging Europe’s largest economy into fresh turmoil as it battles recession and rising far-right influence.
Merz, 69, who led the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to a February election win with 28.5% of the vote, fell six votes short of the 316 needed in the 630-seat lower house, securing only 310.
Despite a coalition deal signed Monday with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), who won 16.4%, at least 18 coalition MPs defied the agreement in a secret ballot.
Nine lawmakers abstained, and 307 voted against, said Bundestag President Julia Kloeckner.
Coalition Unity in Doubt
The defeat, a first for a chancellor candidate in post-war Germany, has exposed deep divisions within the coalition.
“The failed vote is clearly a sign that not everyone in the CDU agrees with the fiscal U-turn,” said Carsten Brzeski, Global Head of Macro at ING Research, referring to Merz’s controversial shift to loosen borrowing limits.
“The result of today’s vote serves as a reminder of how narrow the majority of the new coalition is,” noted Commerzbank in an economic briefing.
“The whole of Europe looked to Berlin today in the hope that Germany would reassert itself as an anchor of stability,” said Jana Puglierin, head of the European Council on Foreign Relations’ Berlin office. “That hope has been dashed.”
Far-Right Seizes Opportunity
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which placed second in February with 20.8%, pounced on the setback.
Joint leader Alice Weidel wrote on X that the vote showed:
Forsa pollster Manfred Guellner warned, “Trust in political institutions is being further damaged.”
Next Steps Uncertain
Visibly stunned, Merz huddled with colleagues as Kloeckner adjourned the session. No further vote was expected Tuesday, with a second round possible Wednesday or Friday.
“Europe needs a strong Germany, that’s why we can’t wait for days,” said CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann.
The Bundestag has 14 days to elect a chancellor, or a simple majority could suffice.
Merz’s planned visits to Paris and Warsaw are now in jeopardy, denting his pledge to restore German leadership.
German stocks slid, with the DAX index down 1.1%. “The unprecedented failure to be elected in the first round would still be a bad start,” said Holger Schmieding, Chief Economist at Berenberg.
As Merz braces for another vote, the coalition’s fragility threatens his vision for a united, assertive Germany.