Becoming Chancellor: How Friedrich Merz Claimed the Top Spot in Germany
Parliament begins process of appointing Merz as Chancellor - Bundestag elects Merz as Germany's Chancellor
To ascend to the post of Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz had followed a specific process:
Nomination and Voting in the Bundestag
- Nomination: The President of Germany proposed a prospective candidate for the chancellorship.
- Voting: Candidates needed an absolute majority in the Bundestag, equivalent to at least 316 votes, to become the confirmed chancellor.
The Necessary Votes
- Initial Vote Failure: Merz initially failed to gather the required votes in the first round. This presented a first in post-war Germany's history.
- Second Vote: A second vote ensued following the initial failure, enabling Merz to eventually obtain sufficient support.
Subsequent Developments
- Oath of Office: Once elected, the chancellor took an oath before the Bundestag, marking the commencement of their term.
- Handover of Office: The outgoing chancellor subsequently passed on their duties and responsibilities to the newly elected chancellor. This included file transfers, briefings on critical topics, and administrative transitions to ensure continuity in governance.
- Government Formation: After the appointment, the chancellor typically formed a government by appointing ministers, either from their own party or coalition partners, to various cabinet positions.
Post-Appointment Challenges
- Domestic Struggles: Merz confronted challenges such as addressing economic sluggishness and energy prices, as well as managing issues at home.
- International Responsibilities: He also had to oversee international matters, including the fraught situation in Ukraine.
- Divided Coalition: The aftermath of his initial failed vote revealed divisions within the coalition, potentially stirring resistance to his policies.
Recent Key Dates
- May 5, 2025: Execution of the coalition treaty.[2]
- May 6, 2025: Friedrich Merz became chancellor after a second vote in the Bundestag.[1][2]
Although facing setbacks initially, Friedrich Merz succeeded in becoming the Chancellor of Germany, marking a monumental step in his career and reshaping the country's political landscape.
- In addition to his responsibilities, the Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation.
- The Commission's proposal will likely be subject to debate and vote in the Bundestag, given its policy-and-legislation implications.
- As the Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who secured his position in May 2025 after a second vote in the Bundestag, may have a crucial role in shaping the final policy on workplace ionizing radiation safety.
- The approval of the Commission's proposal would result in certificates being issued for specific industries to ensure compliance with the new directive, potentially influencing Germany's general-news headlines and politics.
