Merz Fails to Secure Chancellor Vote: Germany Faces Political Uncertainty
Friedrich Merz secured the chancellorship after an unprecedented initial Bundestag vote failure. His first attempt fell six votes short of the required majority, a historic setback in post-war German politics. A second vote, agreed upon after hours of uncertainty, resulted in Merz’s victory with 325 votes. This averted a potential government crisis, with speculation focusing on dissenting coalition members. Following his swearing-in, Merz and his cabinet began their tenure.
John Q. Hosedrinker