In the second ballot: Friedrich Merz now new Chancellor

After CDU boss Friedrich Merz (69) failed in the first ballot in the Chancellor election on Tuesday, he was elected as the new Federal Chancellor in a second round on May 6th. Merz received 325 votes in the second ballot, for the majority 316. 289 MPs voted against the CDU man, in addition there was a abstention.

Merz, who seemed to be relieved after the result of the result, accepted the election accordingly and thanked Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (52, CDU). That wished him strength in coping with upcoming tasks.

In the first, secret coordination, Merz lacked six needed voices. So far, this had not existed in the history of the Federal Republic in the election in the Bundestag. The Merz family have to watch the historical bankruptcy. Together with the daughters Constanze Merz and Carola Clüsener, Charlotte Merz, the politician’s wife, also followed the election on site. The trio opted for blue outfits and was sitting on the grandstand in the Bundestag.

Charlotte and Friedrich Merz have been a well -coordinated team for more than 40 years. The new Chancellor and his later wife are said to have met during his law studies in Bonn. The couple married a short time later in 1981. Charlotte Merz is now a judge and director of the Arnsberg district court. In addition to the two daughters, she also has a son with her husband.