German President Appoints Conservative Friedrich Merz as Chancellor
Friedrich Merz (L) receives his certificate of appontment from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (R), May 6, 2025. Photo: EFE
May 6, 2025 Hour: 12:11 pm
The Christian Democratic Union leader was elected by the Bundestag in a second attempt.
On Tuesday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier appointed conservative Friedrich Merz as chancellor, after he secured the absolute majority required in the Bundestag on his second attempt to be confirmed as the new head of government.
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“In the name of the Federal Republic of Germany and based on Article 63, paragraph 2, sentence 2, I appoint Mr. Friedrich Merz as Federal Chancellor. Berlin, May 6, 2025. The Federal President,” he stated while reading the certificate of appointment.
After receiving and thanking the president for the congratulations, Merz left the room in Bellevue Palace, the president’s official residence, to return to the Bundestag, where he is to be sworn in before the members of parliament.
He will then officially announce the composition of his government, in which his party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), will hold seven ministries, including the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy. The Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) will take charge of the Interior Ministry and two other ministries, while the Social Democratic Party (SPD) will appoint seven ministers, among them the Vice Chancellor, the Finance Minister, and the Defense Minister.
Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to hand over the office to Merz as his successor at 17:45 GMT. Merz was elected as new chancellor by the Bundestag in a second attempt, after failing to obtain the necessary majority of 316 votes in the first round — an unprecedented situation in the German history.
The far-right leader thus managed to reach what is known as the “chancellor majority,” securing 325 votes in favor, against 289 votes opposed, with one abstention and three invalid votes.
Hours earlier, in the first attempt, Merz fell short by six votes to reach the required absolute majority, which caused a major surprise since the conservative bloc and the Social Democrats had a margin of 12 votes to pass the vote.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
