Friedrich Merz Elected German Chancellor in Historic Vote, Forms New Coalition Government

Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), was elected Germany’s Federal Chancellor on Tuesday after securing a majority in a second round of voting in the Bundestag, bringing an end to weeks of political uncertainty and coalition wrangling.

The vote followed an unprecedented setback for Merz earlier in the day, when he failed to obtain the required absolute majority in the first round — a first in Germany’s postwar democratic history. The rare stumble sparked political tension, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) demanding his withdrawal and fresh elections. However, Merz ultimately prevailed in the second ballot, narrowly avoiding a constitutional crisis.

Following his election, Merz moved quickly to announce a new cabinet, forged through a coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD). 

The government lineup features a mix of seasoned political figures and newcomers drawn from business and public service, tasked with tackling a range of national challenges including sluggish economic growth, housing shortages, and the digital modernization of public infrastructure.

Among those appointed are SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil as Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister, Katherina Reiche of the CDU as Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, and Johann Wadephul as Foreign Minister. Other key appointments include Stefanie Hubig as Minister of Justice, Verena Hubertz as Minister for Housing and Urban Development, and Karsten Wildberger as Minister for Digital Affairs. CDU stalwarts Patrick Schnieder, Karin Prien, and Nina Warken will oversee transport, education, and health, respectively. Thorsten Frei, a longtime Merz confidant, will serve as Head of the Chancellery.

The new government is expected to be sworn in later this week. Merz is set to deliver a formal policy address to the Bundestag outlining his administration’s agenda, with an emphasis on economic reform, fiscal discipline, and restoring Germany’s international leadership role amid growing geopolitical instability.

As the country’s first conservative chancellor since Angela Merkel left office in 2021, Merz now faces the challenge of uniting a divided Bundestag and delivering on a coalition mandate shaped by compromise. With rising pressure at home and abroad, his leadership will be tested early — and closely watched across Europe.