BERLIN Friedrich Merz has officially become Germany’s new chancellor after winning a majority in the Bundestag’s second round of voting, ending weeks of political uncertainty.
This outcome follows a historic and unprecedented failure in the first round, making Merz the first chancellor candidate in postwar German history to fall short in an initial parliamentary vote. His conservative CDU/CSU bloc secured power by forming a coalition with the center-left Social Democrats, bridging ideological divides in a last-minute political deal.
Merz inherits a deeply divided political landscape. Germany is grappling with high inflation, energy insecurity, and the growing popularity of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has made significant gains in recent polls.
The newly announced cabinet is largely made up of non-career politicians and technocrats, signaling a strategic departure from traditional party politics. Observers say this reflects Merz’s promise to focus on pragmatic governance over partisan loyalty.
Despite the political breakthrough, challenges loom. Voters remain wary of coalition stability, and economic analysts warn of a turbulent period ahead as Germany attempts to reassert itself in the face of global and domestic pressures.
