Bundestag chose Merz as a chancellor in the second attempt

The article was last updated at 4:36 p.m.

For him, 325 MPs voted. The new government coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD has 328 votes in parliament. Merz accepted the choice. “I would like to thank you for the trust and I take the choice,” he said to a question from Bundestag president Julia Klöckner.

In the first ballot, Merz surprisingly lacked six votes. This was a novelty in the history of the Federal Republic: after a federal election and successful coalition negotiations, a designated Chancellor had failed in the election in the Bundestag.

• Commentary on the topic: What a false start

Merz only with the appointment of chancellor

Now nothing stands in the way of the change of government to the day for exactly half a year after breaking the traffic light coalition. Merz, however, has to receive the certificate of appointment from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Bellevue Castle and is only legally Chancellor.

Then he drives back to the Bundestag and speaks the oath of office there. The swearing -in of the 17 Federal Minister is also to take place today.

Video analysis: “A historical fiasco”

10 men and 8 women in the cabinet

Ten men and eight women belong to the cabinet. CDU and SPD each represent seven ministers, the CSU three. Vice -Chancellor and thus the second most powerful man in the cabinet to Merz is the future finance minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD). The success of the government will significantly depend on how the two understand each other. In the coalition negotiations, this worked quite well.

• Read too: Before the Chancellor’s election: “Respect” for Scholz and a coalition agreement

The expectations are great. In Germany, people hope to be stimulating the German economy, which has been weakening for a long time. Abroad, the European allies have been waiting for the radical course of course in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump that Germany as the economic strongest and most populous EU country will be able to act again-especially with a view to the threat from Russia and the competition from China.

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