In a surprising turn of events, Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), failed to secure the necessary votes in the first ballot for Chancellor on May 6, 2025. This marks a historic moment as it is the first time a Chancellor candidate has been defeated in the initial round of voting in the Bundestag. Merz garnered only 310 votes, falling short of the 316 required for a majority, despite the CDU and its coalition partner, the Social Democrats (SPD), having a combined total of 328 members in the Bundestag.
The political landscape in Berlin was abuzz with mixed reactions following Merz's unexpected defeat. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, when asked about the outcome, reportedly showed frustration, indicating to a reporter that he would have preferred a successful first round. "I believe it would have been good if it had worked out in the first round. But there is a second round," he stated, visibly annoyed.
In the wake of this setback, discussions quickly turned to the possibility of a second ballot. Opposition factions, particularly the Greens and the Left, expressed their willingness to agree to a shortening of the deadline for a new vote, contingent on no deals being made with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Ines Schwerdtner, the leader of the Left party, confirmed that negotiations were underway to schedule another ballot for the same day, emphasizing that her party would not support Merz in the second round.
Schwerdtner's comments reflected a broader sentiment among opposition leaders, as she stated, "It was a mistake from the beginning for Merz to gamble away the trust of the democratic parties and to pact with the fascists. He tore down the fire wall and is now getting the bill." This sentiment echoes the concerns of many within the political sphere regarding the implications of aligning with more extreme factions.
Meanwhile, Jens Spahn, the CDU faction leader, remained optimistic, asserting that the coalition would propose Merz again for the second ballot. "We have collectively decided to move forward with a second round," he remarked, though the timing of this vote remains uncertain. Discussions are ongoing about whether it could take place in the coming days or even sooner with the support of other factions.
The AfD, on the other hand, expressed glee at Merz's failure. Party member Maximilian Krah took to social media, simply stating, "Merz kaputt!" Meanwhile, AfD leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla issued statements that underscored their satisfaction with the outcome. Weidel commented, "We have seen today that lies have short legs," and called for Merz to resign and clear the path for new elections, while Chrupalla described the day as "a good day for Germany," highlighting Merz's broken election promises.
Criticism of the CDU's approach and the coalition's strategy was not limited to the far-right. Sahra Wagenknecht, who narrowly missed entering the Bundestag with her alliance, echoed the AfD's accusations of electoral fraud, stating, "The biggest electoral fraudster in the history of the Federal Republic wanted to become Chancellor, and now he hasn’t even managed that. Merz simply cannot do it and should draw the consequences." This pointed criticism underscores the growing discontent among various political factions regarding the current leadership.
In addition to these voices, Carlo Masala, a defense expert, made serious accusations against defectors within the CDU, suggesting their actions were irresponsible. Former Green MP Volker Beck expressed his shock at the election results, tweeting that some seem intent on seeing the republic burn, labeling the situation as "irresponsible" and indicative of a deeper political malaise.
As the Bundestag session was interrupted following Merz's defeat, the focus now shifts to the potential second ballot. A two-thirds majority will be required for any changes to the procedural timeline, which means the cooperation of the Left and Greens alongside the CDU and SPD will be crucial. Felix Banaszak, the leader of the Greens, indicated his party's readiness to facilitate this process, stating, "We will not use procedural tricks to hinder the formation of a new government. A government must have a majority from within itself. It is the constitutional responsibility of the opposition to vote no on Merz."
The political ramifications of this election are significant, as they not only reflect the current state of the CDU and its leadership but also the broader dynamics at play within German politics. With the potential for a second ballot looming, the question remains whether Merz can rally enough support to secure the Chancellorship or if the opposition will effectively block his path yet again.
As the day progresses, political analysts and citizens alike are keenly watching how the parties will navigate this unexpected turn of events. The outcome of the next ballot could reshape the political landscape in Germany, influencing not just the immediate future of the CDU and Merz, but also the strategies of opposition parties in the months to come.
