In an unprecedented turn of events, Germany’s conservative leader Friedrich Merz failed to secure the parliamentary majority required to become chancellor, just months after his bloc won the federal elections.
Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), received 310 votes in the 630-seat Bundestag — six short of the 316 needed for an absolute majority.
The outcome has plunged Berlin into political uncertainty, with coalition partners and opposition figures alike scrambling to assess next steps.
According to German law, if Merz fails to secure an absolute majority in the first round of voting, a second round is held.
The Bundestag is then granted a 14-day period to elect a new candidate for chancellor, during which unlimited ballots may be held—but each still requires an absolute majority to succeed.
If no candidate secures a majority within this timeframe, the process moves into a third phase, where an immediate final vote is held or fresh elections are triggered.
Historic failure shakes confidence in coalition
The failed vote marks a stunning political setback for Merz and his CDU-CSU bloc, which had formed a coalition agreement with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) earlier this week.
Despite the alliance having enough seats on paper, dissent among SPD members appears to have derailed Merz’s ascension.
Not since the founding of the Federal Republic in 1949 has a chancellor candidate failed in the first round of voting.
German media described the defeat as a “humiliation,” reflecting deep fractures within the newly formed coalition.
The SPD, which suffered its worst-ever electoral performance with just 16.4% of the vote, has been grappling with internal discord over the coalition terms.
Political analyst Norbert Röttgen told public broadcaster ARD, “This isn’t just a delay. It’s a crisis of confidence within the very coalition that was supposed to provide stability.”
Second round of voting likely or unlikely?
According to German law, if Merz fails to secure an absolute majority in the first round of voting, a second round is held.
“Given the well-choreographed timeline for the next few days – with Merz expected in Paris and Warsaw tomorrow, VE Day celebrations on Thursday, and Brussels on Friday, according to German media – he and his entourage can be temped to they push for the second vote later today.” The Guardian’s Jakub Krupa, said.
“But if they have another go today, they will want to make sure he will win it. Another defeat would be devastating for his position and credibility,” he added.
However, The Guardian also said it is unlikely that another round of voting will be held today- “exactly because Merz and his team worry about the risk of another hugely embarrassing defeat”.
Richard Walker, DW chief international correspondent, said the new development will not be an issue if a second voting takes place soon.
“But if the process drags on this, there will be question marks,” he said.
After the second round, the Bundestag has 14 days to elect another candidate to be Chancellor.
During this period, any candidate can be proposed and voted upon in unlimited rounds.
Should all ballots fail to produce a result, a final vote will be held where the candidate with the most votes (a relative majority) may be appointed by the federal president or trigger the dissolution of parliament.
In Merz’s case, the path forward remains unclear. He may try again to rally support within his coalition, particularly among SPD lawmakers.
Alternatively, the coalition could propose a different candidate, or the parties may renegotiate terms to placate dissenters.
Meanwhile, the delay in forming a government has begun to stir unease among Germany’s European partners, many of whom had expected Merz to be sworn in by Tuesday noon.
A chancellor without a mandate—for now
Though Merz remains a dominant figure in German politics, this failed vote casts a shadow over his ability to unify the Bundestag and effectively govern.
His February victory — the CDU-CSU’s 28.5% vote share was the highest among all parties — came with the expectation of decisive leadership.
But Tuesday’s result suggests that even in victory, consensus may be elusive.
As Germany waits to see who can finally command a majority in parliament, the broader question looms: can any leader now claim an undisputed mandate to govern?
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