Friedrich Merz becomes Chancellor: A new course for Germany!

Friedrich Merz becomes Chancellor: A new course for Germany!

On May 6, 2025, Friedrich Merz successfully won the chancellor election in the Bundestag in the second round. This makes him the tenth Chancellor of Germany. However, the first ballot ended with a defeat for Merz. A change in the rules of procedure, which was supported by the Union, the SPD, the Greens and the left, enabled the decisive second ballot. Merz finally reached the majority of the votes and received his certificate of appointment from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

in front of a assembled parliament, Merz gave his first speech as a chancellor in the Chancellery. In it he expressly thanked Olaf Scholz for his work during his term. Merz spoke about the challenges of the Ukraine war and the necessary "turnaround". He also praised Scholz for his decisions in the Corona crisis and confirmed the responsibility that the office brings with him. The changes that go hand in hand with the change of government are considered a chance of him, and he emphasized the importance of cooperation in the Bundestag, while he also expressed his thanks to the employees of the Chancellery.

government formation and first office day

The formation of the new federal government, which will consist of CDU, CSU and SPD, should be completed on Tuesday, six months after the breakdown coalition breaks. The session of the Bundestag started at 9 a.m., and Merz expected a choice in the first round. However, the necessary chancellor's majority of 316 votes was not reached in the first ballot, which finally led to the decision of the second ballot.

With 328 mandates, the black and red coalition brings a tight but sufficient majority. All 208 Union MPs and 120 SPD MPs were present in the vote. On Tuesday after the election, Federal President Steinmeier will appoint the new Federal Minister, and the first cabinet meeting is scheduled for the evening at 6 p.m. This first session aims to delete 25 special officers, including posts for seas, bicycle traffic and feminist foreign policy.

The crossing of the office and follow -up dates

The transfer of office in the Chancellery is planned for Tuesday afternoon after swearing in the new ministers. Olaf Scholz, who was 1,245 days in office, was officially adopted on Monday evening with a large tap. He described the change of government as an expression of democratic normality, but emphasized the unusuality of the circumstances under which this change takes place. Despite the changes, Scholz remains as a directly elected MP in the Bundestag.

Merz plans to visit France and Poland next week. In addition, a meeting with the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO general secretary Mark Rutte in Brussels is planned for Friday. The political course for the future of Germany is set up and the expectations of Merz are high.