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3w ago

Friedrich Merz Confirmed as German Chancellor After Unprecedented Second Vote

The CDU/CSU-SPD coalition faces early signs of fragility as Merz secures leadership following a historic first-vote setback.

De izquierda a derecha y de arriba a abajo, Katherina Reiche, Johann Wadephul, Alexander Dobrindt, Lars Klingbeil, Boris Pistorius y Bärbel Bas.
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Overview

  • Friedrich Merz was elected Germany's 10th chancellor in a second Bundestag vote after falling short by six votes in the first round, a first in the country's post-war history.
  • The CDU/CSU-SPD coalition holds a 328-seat majority, but dissent from 18 coalition members in the initial vote exposed internal divisions.
  • Merz's government prioritizes rearmament, economic recovery, and stricter migration policies, with plans for significant investments in infrastructure and defense.
  • Lars Klingbeil of the SPD will serve as vice-chancellor and finance minister, reflecting the coalition's power-sharing agreement.
  • Financial markets reacted strongly to the initial vote failure, with the DAX index dropping over 2%, highlighting concerns about the coalition's stability.