Friedrich Merz (CDU) failed in the Bundestag in the first ballot for the chancellor’s election. Despite one arithmetic majority of 328 sit The coalition of the CDU/CSU and SPD received only 310 votes – six less than the required absolute majority of 316. This is the first time in the history of the Federal Republic, that a candidate for chancellor fails in the first ballot.
The defeat is attributed to deviations within the coalition factions. Especially in the CDU/CSU parliamentary group there was apparently dissatisfaction with Merz ‘leadership style and political course. Now the Bundestag has 14 days to choose a Chancellor with an absolute majority.
The AfD, which became the second strongest force in the Bundestag election in February 2025, called for the failed ballot New elections and sees a sign of the weakness of the established parties. The next few days will be crucial whether Merz will still be a chancellor or whether Germany is facing a new political course.
Was the vote a memo for Merz-or a warning call to the SPD leadership? Do the MPs who have not voted for Merz damage the government and democracy? Is there a threat of political radicalization or is the fear of the AfD exaggerated? Read what the Tagesspiegel community means in an editorial selection of our reader comments.
stereotonia
Regardless of whether the “deviators” come from your own ranks, or from those of the SPD. The MPs who have not voted for Merz damage the new government, Merz as a person and also democracy. Because the only ones who can lean back with joy without having to do something for it are the AfD MPs.
I don’t want to deny the MPs their free decision, but I would like a different sense of responsibility from elected representatives of the people.
dinsdale
No matter what you think of Merz. In the current geopolitical and local political situation, these games are just stupid.
Hotte80
Anyone who deals with possible coalition partners in this way, insulted them on the last election day, builds up their own election campaign on lies, paved them from campaign purposes, put on massive damage to our democracy with all these processes, if they are in the end of the existing majority for the Federal Chancellor’s election, because there are still MPs.
I would not be surprised if it was the “left-wing spinners”, original sound in the SPD today, who may still have all the cups in their closet and did not allow themselves to be made by Klingbeil and the Seeheimers so cheap, while one simply saws on someone like Hubertus Heil and Saskia, after all, the party leader, so badly.
Catering leaf
First of all: I’m not a big Merz fan either. But with a view to the domestic and foreign policy situation, I find that some MPs obviously did not understand the seriousness of the situation – if any personal bill with Merz is more important than the country, then we do not need to be surprised about disenchantment with politics.
Now the only thing that is missing is that the AfD is “state -supporting” and announces that it would vote for Merz in the second ballot. Then we have Thuringian conditions in the Bundestag – and the damage to German democracy is enormous.
FRO …
Ms. Merkel has subtly signaled that she is ready, feels able and could even enjoy being a chancellor again. I hope that the Merz opponents will remain steadfast and keep an eye on this option. In times of crisis, no windy laypersons should be left behind the AfD.
I’m sorry for Merz. I mean at some point you have to tie the sack.
Freiesberlin
Face plane
How can you not be present when choosing a chancellor and how can a person vote? I am slowly doubting the minds of these people and the 307 no want to vote for an AfD government.
Freiesberlin
I’m sorry for Merz. I mean at some point you have to tie the sack when a coalition has formed and is clear to whom the Chancellery is entitled to. One thing is certain, red/yellow/green have failed. One thing is certain that a political turnaround should be here. What is certain is that the AfD should not co -govern. However, it is also clear that left-green politics has been voted out and that the SPD is only allowed to agree because there is an overhang of left-wing parties and it is still the smallest evil. It is certain that around 50 % of voters want right -wing or moderate rights.
Why doesn’t the SPD thanks the dear God that with its 16 % it can even take over important ministries? The behavior of the SPD is very poor, which will cost further votes. The opposite would be correct. The SPD would have to gain approval to sit more firmly in the saddle and especially with a view of the next elections. I just think: well, the socialists are just stupid.
Snow
Old bills will be paid, and the MPs, who have not chosen him in the first ballot, probably really think, “but we have shown it now!”. This is an absolute weakening of democracy and the future government and only plays into the hands of one party. Germany and the affected MPs still have still not understood what this is actually about!
Electoral researcher
It wasn’t just against Merz, that also went against Klingbeil. He simply sawed out too many traffic lights like Lauterbach and Faeser mercilessly, not to mention dealing with Esken. Perhaps some comrades are bothered by Klingbeil’s march to power
drisock
I lack the words in the face of such total irresponsibility. In the most difficult phase after the Second World War, some MPs still have time for rank games. If you cannot now put personal vanities behind the national interests, you can never and do not belong to the Bundestag.
Although I can actually imagine that not Merz was expressed, but Klingbeil. After he had shaved and disassembled various veteran, with remarkable cold -bloodedness.
Watermelon
Why does the majority actually assume that the deviators are to be found at the SPD? The CDU election campaign did not provide for any new debts. Since Merz broke this fundamental promise together with the SPD and the Greens, it has also been tremendous within the CDU.
Correction
Have the deviators actually consider what steep template they give the AfD? If the clever is, she could now stand in front of the media and explain that in the next ballot she chooses the Chancellor for the country. I’m curious to see what the fire wall defenders would say. Because of, we can’t accept anything where the AfD is right.
Diogenes
It is embarrassing that Merz failed – maybe there will be less than 100 days with Merz. His coalition does not seem to work. And no, of course you can make fun of this coalition and criticize. This completely senseless “This uses the AfD” only comes across annoyingly. This party has nothing to offer. These are destructive poison mixers. They cannot benefit because they have nothing to offer.
mcflue
There are apparently MPs in this coalition, they already want new elections. And if you go on like this, the next Bundestag might get out without you. And that also applies to the citizens, who have recently been often called civil society. How incredibly withdrawn – to be ashamed …
Bberg
Merz is only 2.
MARSTATE
Well. This is the hint with the fence post, the meaning and effect of which still has to learn to understand Merz. After only becoming the chairman in the third attempt, he should have known that he stumbled to the finish more than running upright. In a way, this situation is now hopefully the memo for him that he has no advance of trust that he has dealt with in the election campaign through his completely unsustainable promises and his own demagogy. Many had guessed it: Merz just can’t.
Klauskaminski
My goodness … this is not the end of the world, there were already in other democracies. You don’t have to write the end of the world right now. It is just stupid that you have to wait until Friday and cannot make another ballot on the same day. But the show is cool, really good theater. More popcorn please.
Source: Tagesspiegel
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