A Stumble in Berlin: Christian Democrat Friedrich Merz Falls Short in Chancellor Vote
The Day that Shook the Bundestag
Parliament suspended Merz, Chancellor is ousted, perceived traitors pursued, stock exchanges shut down.
Germany's federal parliament, the Bundestag, was abuzz with excitement as usual for major events, but the election of Christian Democrat Friedrich Merz was not destined to be a walk in the park. The CDU head, to everyone's surprise, missed the mark in the first vote by a hair's breadth. Merz needed 316 yes votes to clear the initial hurdle, but he only managed to secure 310, falling six votes short. Three abstained, and one vote was invalid.
Before Merz even stepped into the room, a heated discussion reportedly took place among party leaders in the CDU-CSU parliamentary group's office. Julia Kloeckner, the President of the Bundestag, scheduled a second round of voting for tomorrow, Wednesday.
Understanding the Misstep
In the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, this scenario has never unfolded before. If a candidate fails to obtain a simple majority in the third vote, the role of the Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, becomes crucial. He will decide whether to appoint the candidate as head of a minority government or to dissolve the Bundestag and call new elections.
Controversies surrounding two issues have caused tension within the CDU and SPD in recent weeks: radical spending reforms and the Afd dossier. The question remains: did today's abstention play a significant role in this debate?
A Rocky Road Ahead for the Future Chancellor
The new Chancellor faces two significant challenges: revitalizing the German economy, which has shown signs of stagnation, and altering the pace on the immigration dossier. However, it remains to be seen whether these issues can be managed independently. Tighter border control during the Covid-19 crisis and migrant repatriation have strained relationships with border partners in the past.
The Frankfurt Stock Exchange Tumbles
The Frankfurt Stock Exchange witnesses growing losses after the news of Friedrich Merz's unsuccessful bid for a majority in Parliament. The Dax index slips by 2%, making it the biggest loser among European exchanges today. The uncertainty around the future German government's spending plans on infrastructure and defense has raised concerns for investors relying on these decisions.
Voices from the Sidelines
"Merz should step aside and pave the way for general elections" - said AfD leader Alice Weidel. "It's the first time something good happens, because an electoral fraud of this magnitude cannot happen, one cannot become chancellor this way."
The leader of the liberal EU group, French Valerie Hayer, voiced her concerns: "He didn't manage to unite, but only to divide." Jan van Aken, a leader from the left-wing party that doubled its votes in the last election, was equally critical: "A bolt from the blue, it had never happened in German history."
Charting a New Course
Leaders of the parliamentary groups of the CDU-CSU, SPD, Greens, and Die Linke are currently negotiating an expedited deadline for a new round of voting to take place on Wednesday. Two-thirds majority is needed for this agreement. Merz, sources suggest, is preparing to run again and enjoys widespread support within his party.
Sources:1. Handelsblatt2. Deutsche Welle3. Ard
- In the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, a candidate failing to obtain a simple majority in the initial vote, as Christian Democrat Friedrich Merz did, has never occurred before.
- The question remains whether the abstention in today's vote played a significant role in the ongoing debates over radical spending reforms and the Afd dossier within the CDU and SPD.
