BERLIN, May 6 – German conservative leader Friedrich Merz failed to secure enough support in the Bundestag to be elected chancellor on Tuesday, marking a historic political misstep in the post-war era and throwing the nation’s leadership into temporary uncertainty. The failed vote comes at a critical time as Germany struggles with economic stagnation and rising far-right populism.
Despite leading his conservative party to a win in the February federal elections and signing a coalition deal with the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), Merz garnered only 310 votes falling just six votes shy of the required 316 for an absolute majority. The shortfall, attributed to dissent within the coalition ranks, raises concerns about the unity and effectiveness of the incoming government.
Cracks Within the Coalition Emerge
This initial failure doesn’t rule out Merz’s eventual election, but it is a major political setback and an unprecedented moment for modern German democracy. No chancellor-designate has previously failed to secure a parliamentary majority on the first attempt in the post-war Bundestag.
At least 18 members of the governing coalition either abstained or voted against Merz, reflecting deep-seated dissatisfaction with aspects of the coalition agreement, cabinet appointments, and the recent approval of a controversial borrowing package. These internal disagreements surfaced despite earlier optimism among party insiders that Merz would comfortably reach the majority threshold.
Bundestag President Julia Kloeckner announced that 307 lawmakers voted against Merz while nine abstained. The lack of transparency in the secret ballot made it difficult to determine which factions were responsible for the rebellion, although murmurs of discontent had circulated within both the conservative and SPD ranks over the past week.
In response to the vote, the Bundestag session was adjourned to allow party leaders to regroup and hold internal consultations. While another vote was not expected the same day, party officials confirmed that Merz intends to run again, with the next vote likely to be held later in the week.
The failed election attempt casts a shadow over Merz’s planned diplomatic visits to France and Poland, which were scheduled to begin Wednesday. These trips, designed to reinforce Germany’s role as a stabilizing and pro-European force, may now be delayed — a symbolic blow to Merz’s ambitions of asserting German leadership abroad.
Political Uncertainty Benefits Far-Right Surge
The political vacuum created by Tuesday’s vote seems to have played into the hands of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), a party that secured second place in the February election and has been gaining traction in recent opinion polls. Analysts suggest that the disarray within the traditional parties could further alienate voters and fuel distrust in democratic institutions.
Political observers noted that the fractured vote has exposed vulnerabilities in the newly formed government even before it begins its legislative work. Holger Schmieding, a London-based economist, observed that while Merz may still succeed in the next round, the incident indicates serious internal divisions that could hamper governance and policy implementation going forward.
Germany’s financial markets responded negatively to the news, with shares extending their losses. Investors had previously driven the market to near-record highs on hopes that the new government would inject stimulus spending and pursue pro-growth policies. Tuesday’s events shook those expectations.
The broader concern is that the coalition’s credibility may have suffered a significant blow. Merz’s conservative won the election with 28.5% of the vote, forming a narrow majority with the SPD, who secured just 16.4%. While the two parties had pledged to revive the sluggish economy and ramp up defense spending, internal tensions now threaten to derail those plans.
The German economy is currently enduring its third consecutive year of economic stagnation, compounded by a turbulent global trade environment. Among the key issues is the coalition’s decision to approve a borrowing plan that runs contrary to Merz’s campaign promises of financial discipline. Critics from within his own party argue that this fiscal reversal has undermined trust in his leadership.
Carsten Brzeski, an economist at ING, suggested that Merz’s budget shift likely played a role in the failed vote. “The rejection signals resistance to policies that contradict the CDU’s traditional values,” he said, referring to the conservative Christian Democratic Union, which Merz leads.
Adding to the uncertainty is Merz’s leadership style. Though an experienced figure in German politics, he has never held a cabinet post. His assertive and sometimes confrontational approach has not endeared him to all within his party or among coalition partners, and this may have influenced some members’ decision to withhold their support.
Philipp Koeker, a political expert based in Hanover, noted that the failed vote will inevitably strain the working relationship between the coalition parties. “Even if Merz is elected in a second or third round, the cohesion of the government will be fragile. This vote reveals a deep undercurrent of mistrust and unresolved tension,” he said.
Germany has been without a majority government since the previous SPD-led coalition collapsed in November. The current situation further delays the country’s ability to respond decisively to pressing issues such as defense policy, economic reform, and foreign relations.
Parliament now has a 14-day window to choose a new chancellor. If no candidate secures a majority during that period, the president of Germany could intervene to appoint a chancellor or call for new elections — a scenario no major party currently desires.
For now, all eyes remain on Friedrich Merz as he prepares to make a second bid for the chancellorship, hoping to bridge the divide within his coalition and avoid a prolonged political stalemate.