Friedrich Merz has officially become the new Chancellor of Germany after securing enough support in a second round of parliamentary voting.
He received 325 votes, crossing the required threshold of 316 in the Bundestag. The final count also included 289 votes against him, one abstention, and three invalid ballots.
This result follows a difficult first round in which Merz failed to gain enough backing, a setback that surprised many within his party and across the political spectrum. Despite that, the second round brought him a clear majority, allowing him to move forward as the new head of government.
Shortly after the vote, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented Merz with his official certificate of appointment during a formal ceremony at Bellevue Palace in Berlin. Merz then returned to the Bundestag to take his oath of office.
The transition marks a significant political moment for Germany, as Merz prepares to lead Europe’s largest economy amid global uncertainty and domestic challenges. He steps into the role with a strong message of partnership across Europe and has already outlined his first moves on the international stage.
Merz’s first foreign visit will take place tomorrow, with stops in Paris and Warsaw. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed his appointment with a message delivered in German, expressing his readiness to work closely with the new chancellor. Macron said the relationship between France and Germany should become more powerful than ever, focusing on shared goals such as European security, sovereignty, and economic growth.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also confirmed Merz’s upcoming visit through a social media post, signaling readiness to strengthen ties between the two neighboring countries.
As Merz begins his term, expectations are high both at home and abroad. He inherits a complex political landscape, facing pressures on energy policy, defense spending, and the ongoing European response to global conflicts. His performance in the coming weeks may shape the tone of Germany’s role on the world stage for years to come.