Friedrich Merz Faces Setback in Chancellor Bid, Votes to Continue

Sat Oct 25 2025 05:09:26 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s conservative Christian Democrats, falls short in his first parliamentary vote for chancellor, setting the stage for a second attempt.

In an unprecedented setback, Friedrich Merz failed to gain the required votes to become Germany's chancellor in a parliamentary vote, marking the first time a candidate has stumbled at this stage. A second vote is scheduled for later today, as uncertainties mount for the new government's agenda amid challenges in the economy and growing pressure from the far-right.

Friedrich Merz, the recently elected leader of Germany’s conservative Christian Democrats, experienced a shocking setback on Tuesday when he failed to secure enough votes in parliament to become the country’s chancellor. During a secret ballot, Merz fell just six votes short of the required 316 majority, with 307 lawmakers opposing him and nine abstaining. This unusual outcome has prompted the scheduling of a second parliamentary vote later in the day.

The initial defeat has demoralized Merz and raised concerns about his ability to lead Germany, particularly as the country grapples with severe economic challenges, national security issues, and strained foreign alliances. Historically, no prospective chancellor in modern Germany has failed to win the first round of voting, marking this incident as a significant political milestone. The unexpected results have not only impacted Merz’s immediate aspirations but have also resulted in a noticeable decline in German stocks, with analysts warning the vote could undermine confidence in the new government’s plans to rejuvenate Europe’s largest economy.

Following the initial failure, Lars Klingbeil, likely to become the next vice chancellor, emphasized the importance of establishing stable governance quickly. Merz's coalition government, despite this blip, still possesses enough seats to potentially elect a chancellor and assume responsibility. Political observers noted that the failing vote may bring further scrutiny to Merz's leadership following various controversies throughout the year, including contentious immigration policy decisions that had rallied protests against him.

In recent weeks, support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has surged, leading to concerns that Merz's coalition may be losing ground. The AfD’s leaders swiftly called for Merz's resignation after the vote, taking advantage of the political turmoil. The second parliamentary vote could either validate Merz's position or further complicate the political landscape, with fresh elections looming should he fail to secure the necessary support in forthcoming attempts.

The economic ramifications of such political instability are also significant. Businesses had anticipated a new government to restore stability and confidence, especially after the previous government's adjustments to growth forecasts suggested stagnation might persist for the third consecutive year. Merz’s supporters had hoped for renewed investment to invigorate the faltering economy, although the chaos surrounding his parliamentary vote has reinforced fears of uncertainty among investors.

As Merz prepares for the upcoming second vote, he faces an uphill battle to overcome the reputational damage from the first round's outcome. If he emerges successful in regaining the needed votes, he will be tasked with tackling numerous critical issues, ranging from economic recovery to managing Germany's complex immigration landscape—all while contend with mounting opposition both from within his coalition and the rising AfD.