Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) on Tuesday demanded new general elections after conservative leader Friedrich Merz failed to win an outright majority in parliament to become chancellor.
Merz secured 310 of the 630 ballots cast in the Bundestag (Germany's federal parliament), falling short of the 316 votes required for an absolute majority.
The result has prompted discussions within Merz’s coalition parties on how to proceed.
“Merz should step aside and the way should be cleared for a general election,” said AfD co-leader Alice Weidel, describing the failed vote as a “good day for Germany”.
The AfD, now the biggest opposition party after winning over 20 per cent in February’s election, quickly used the result to criticise the government, calling it proof of failed leadership.
Merz had been expected to sail through the vote after his CDU/CSU alliance and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz claimed a combined 328 seats. But with three abstentions, nine absences, and one invalid ballot, his support fell just short.
The result marks the first time in Germany’s post-war history that a chancellor candidate has failed to be elected in the first round. It adds to six months of political deadlock since Scholz’s coalition collapsed, leading to early elections in February.
While Merz’s CDU pushed for a second round of voting as early as Tuesday evening, no new date had been finalised by the end of the day. Under the German constitution, a second vote must take place within 14 days. If that also fails, a third vote requiring only a simple majority could eventually see Merz take office.
'Merz likely to become chancellor in the end'
Despite the setback, many analysts believe Merz may still become chancellor. “Merz will most likely still be elected as chancellor in the end,” said Holger Schmieding of Berenberg Bank. “But even so, the unprecedented failure to be elected in the first round would still be a bad start for him.”
Schmieding added that the vote exposed divisions within the coalition and raised doubts about Merz’s ability to govern effectively. “That will sow some doubts about his ability to fully pursue his agenda, damaging his domestic and international authority at least initially.”
Franziska Palmas of Capital Economics said that the vote “leaves Merz severely weakened and suggests that hopes for more stability in German politics may be disappointed”.
The vote’s failure means Scholz remains in office as caretaker chancellor. Plans for Merz to be sworn in by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and attend high-profile visits to Paris and Warsaw have now been put on hold.
Political opponents were quick to assign blame. Bodo Ramelow of the far-left Die Linke said he was “angry” that Merz and SPD vice-chancellor designate Lars Klingbeil “allowed such a situation” to occur.
Chancellor race reopens as Merz falls short
German lawmakers are set to vote again on Tuesday afternoon to choose the next chancellor, just hours after Merz failed to win in the first round. It was a historic moment, as no candidate for chancellor in post-war Germany has ever lost the first vote. Merz had been expected to easily win and become Germany’s 10th chancellor since World War II.
Parliament now has 14 days to elect a chancellor with an absolute majority. Merz can run again, but other candidates are also allowed to enter the race.
Merz's coalition partners in the centre-left SPD said the vote would go ahead, and Jens Spahn, the parliamentary leader of Merz's CDU, told reporters: "We will be able to proceed with a second round today."
All this is unfolding at a time of major global instability. With Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency shaking Nato and European alliances, Germany is under pressure to act decisively. Merz has promised to lead a “historic” coalition to revive the economy, modernise infrastructure, and boost defence spending.
Merz secured 310 of the 630 ballots cast in the Bundestag (Germany's federal parliament), falling short of the 316 votes required for an absolute majority.
The result has prompted discussions within Merz’s coalition parties on how to proceed.
“Merz should step aside and the way should be cleared for a general election,” said AfD co-leader Alice Weidel, describing the failed vote as a “good day for Germany”.
The AfD, now the biggest opposition party after winning over 20 per cent in February’s election, quickly used the result to criticise the government, calling it proof of failed leadership.
Merz had been expected to sail through the vote after his CDU/CSU alliance and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz claimed a combined 328 seats. But with three abstentions, nine absences, and one invalid ballot, his support fell just short.
The result marks the first time in Germany’s post-war history that a chancellor candidate has failed to be elected in the first round. It adds to six months of political deadlock since Scholz’s coalition collapsed, leading to early elections in February.
While Merz’s CDU pushed for a second round of voting as early as Tuesday evening, no new date had been finalised by the end of the day. Under the German constitution, a second vote must take place within 14 days. If that also fails, a third vote requiring only a simple majority could eventually see Merz take office.
'Merz likely to become chancellor in the end'
Despite the setback, many analysts believe Merz may still become chancellor. “Merz will most likely still be elected as chancellor in the end,” said Holger Schmieding of Berenberg Bank. “But even so, the unprecedented failure to be elected in the first round would still be a bad start for him.”
Schmieding added that the vote exposed divisions within the coalition and raised doubts about Merz’s ability to govern effectively. “That will sow some doubts about his ability to fully pursue his agenda, damaging his domestic and international authority at least initially.”
Franziska Palmas of Capital Economics said that the vote “leaves Merz severely weakened and suggests that hopes for more stability in German politics may be disappointed”.
The vote’s failure means Scholz remains in office as caretaker chancellor. Plans for Merz to be sworn in by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and attend high-profile visits to Paris and Warsaw have now been put on hold.
Political opponents were quick to assign blame. Bodo Ramelow of the far-left Die Linke said he was “angry” that Merz and SPD vice-chancellor designate Lars Klingbeil “allowed such a situation” to occur.
Chancellor race reopens as Merz falls short
German lawmakers are set to vote again on Tuesday afternoon to choose the next chancellor, just hours after Merz failed to win in the first round. It was a historic moment, as no candidate for chancellor in post-war Germany has ever lost the first vote. Merz had been expected to easily win and become Germany’s 10th chancellor since World War II.
Parliament now has 14 days to elect a chancellor with an absolute majority. Merz can run again, but other candidates are also allowed to enter the race.
Merz's coalition partners in the centre-left SPD said the vote would go ahead, and Jens Spahn, the parliamentary leader of Merz's CDU, told reporters: "We will be able to proceed with a second round today."
All this is unfolding at a time of major global instability. With Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency shaking Nato and European alliances, Germany is under pressure to act decisively. Merz has promised to lead a “historic” coalition to revive the economy, modernise infrastructure, and boost defence spending.
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