Articles in this Cluster
07-05-2025
Friedrich Merz has become Germany's new chancellor after winning a second vote in the country's parliament, despite unexpectedly failing to secure a majority in the first round. Merz, leader of the CDU/CSU conservatives, received 310 votes in the first ballot, six short of the required 316, but won 325 in the second. He succeeds Olaf Scholz and faces challenges including the Ukraine war, global tariffs, and the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has been designated as extremist by Germany's domestic spy agency.
07-05-2025
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's initial defeat in a confidence vote on his first day in office has raised concerns about the stability and effectiveness of his government. Despite winning on a second attempt, the messy path to power has sparked questions about his ability to push through contentious legislation, particularly as Germany faces challenges such as recession, immigration debates, and a surging far-right party. Merz's allies claim the situation can be recovered, but critics, including the far-right Alternative for Germany party, see it as evidence of a weak and unstable coalition government.
07-05-2025
Friedrich Merz was elected chancellor of Germany in a second round of voting, receiving 325 votes in the Bundestag, surpassing the 316-vote threshold. Initially, Merz lost in the first round with 310 votes, a historic first in post-war Germany, sparking demands from the far-right Alternative for Germany party to call for new elections. Merz's victory came after a coalition deal between his Christian Democratic Union party, its Bavarian sister party, and the Social Democratic Party.