Germany's Merz becomes chancellor on second try but emerges weakened

Conservative politician had failed to secure enough support in initial round of parliamentary voting

- Bertrand Benoit

Germany's parliament voted to make Friedrich Merz the country's chancellor on second try, but he will start his term as a weakened figure after failing to gather enough support in the initial ballot.

This was the first time in Germany's post-World War II history that a would-be chancellor needed a second attempt to secure parliament's endorsement. The failure of the first vote came despite Merz's proposed coalition holding a relatively comfortable 12-seat majority in the house.

Since the vote is secret and no dissenter has come forward, it isn't clear why a dozen members of Merz's proposed coalition didn't back him in the first vote.

While plans for Merz's rise to power were only delayed for a few hours, analysts said the hiccup would leave a stain on the credibility of the next government.

"This is dramatic," said Manfred Güllner, head of the Forsa polling group, adding that Merz would remain damaged despite his second-attempt win.

Merz's day-one wobble reinforces the image of a continent that is becoming unstable and hard to govern as it comes under siege by insurgent antiestablishment forces.

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.