Chancellor’s election goes into new round
Second ballot for Merz still today
06.05.2025, 2:05 p.m.
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After hours of advice, it is clear: After his failure in the first ballot of the chancellor election, Friedrich Merz competes for the second time on the same day. Union, SPD, Greens and the left.
After the failure of CDU boss Friedrich Merz in the first attempt in the election as Chancellor, there should still be a second ballot in the Bundestag. The coalition partners Union and the SPD agreed with the factions of the Greens and Left for a corresponding application for the Bundestag in order to set a second ballot on the agenda.
This requires a two-thirds majority for which the black and red coalition requires the voices of the two opposition groups. The approval of the AfD classified as a right -wing extremist is not required.
Election should be re -elected at 3:15 p.m. Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn confirmed that Merz will face a second ballot. “All of Europe, maybe the whole world is looking at this ballot,” emphasized Spahn. “I appeal to everyone to be aware of this special responsibility.” Merz failed historically in the first ballot in the morning, he hadn’t received the necessary number of votes.
SPD boss Lars Klingbeil said: “I assume that the necessary majority is now in the second ballot so that Friedrich Merz is the next Federal Chancellor of our country.” In view of the international situation, the economic difficulties and increasing polarization in Germany, it is important that Germany is given a stable government that can quickly work in reliable structures.
Already a debacle
316 votes would have been necessary – but only 310 for Merz. The coalition factions CDU/CSU and SPD have 328 seats in parliament. Whoever the deviators were unclear because of the secret election. So it is also uncertain how the second ballot will now go out. In any case, failure in the first ballot is already a debacle for the 69-year-old Merz. It should throw a dark shadow on his chancellorship – if in the end there is still something from it.
In the history of the Federal Republic, the failed ballot in this form has been a novelty: After a federal election and successful coalition negotiations, a designated Chancellor has failed in the election in the Bundestag.
But why were the necessary voices missing? Union and the SPD had stated before the meeting that their MPs were completely present. But at least 18 must not be voted for Merz, maybe more. In theory, opposition politicians could have given their voice for the CDU boss.
