Intentar ORO - Gratis

Merz Overcomes Historic Loss to Become German Chancellor

The Statesman Kolkata

|

May 07, 2025

Merz unexpectedly lost in the first round of voting in the Bundestag, securing only 310 votes

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

Merz Overcomes Historic Loss to Become German Chancellor

Conservative leader Friedrich Merz succeeded Tuesday in becoming Germany's next chancellor, drawing applause and a palpable sense of relief in the parliament chamber after a historic loss in the first round of voting threatened the new government's promises of stability.

No other postwar candidate for German chancellor has failed to win on the first ballot. The stunning but short-lived defeat sent shock waves throughout Europe and dragged down the stock market. The DAX, the index of major German companies, fell by 1.8 per cent at one point.

The first round of voting, which was conducted by secret ballot, could affect Merz's prospects for success and bring trouble to his coalition's agenda, which includes reviving a stagnant economy and dealing with the rise of the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE The Statesman Kolkata

The Statesman

The Statesman

Fifty Shades of Green

Kerala takes my breath away.

time to read

4 mins

October 12, 2025

The Statesman

Farooq’s RS poll list exclusion sparks buzz

The ruling National Conference (NC) keeping the party chief and political stalwart Dr Farooq Abdullah out of the list of its candidates for the RS polls in J&K has come as a big surprise for the people and political observers.

time to read

1 mins

October 12, 2025

The Statesman

Student alleges rape in Durgapur, police launch probe

The New Township Police Station (NTPS), under the Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate (ADPC), launched an investigation following a complaint of alleged rape of a second-year MBBS student of a private medical college in Durgapur lodged last night.

time to read

2 mins

October 12, 2025

The Statesman

Israel rejects freeing from prison the most popular Palestinian leader

The most popular and potentially unifying Palestinian leader ~ Marwan Barghouti ~ is not among the prisoners Israel intends to free in exchange for hostages held by Hamas under the new Gaza ceasefire deal.

time to read

1 mins

October 12, 2025

The Statesman

The Statesman

MEA distances itself from Afghan Embassy controversy

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has distanced itself from the controversy regarding the Afghan embassy's decision to deny access to women journalists during a press conference held by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi.

time to read

2 mins

October 12, 2025

The Statesman

UP govt targets zero stubble burning by 2025-26; heavy fines for violators

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued strict directives to curb stubble burning in Uttar Pradesh, aiming to reduce incidents to zero by FY 2025-26.

time to read

1 min

October 12, 2025

The Statesman Kolkata

Healing through stories

Maya had always loved photography, but after her grandma passed away, she found it hard to pick up her camera. Everything reminded her of her grandma, who had taught her how to take pictures.

time to read

1 min

October 12, 2025

The Statesman Kolkata

Right Track

When just-retired Surekha Yadav climbed into the cabin of her first train in 1989, she wasn't setting out to make history.

time to read

2 mins

October 12, 2025

The Statesman Kolkata

ICG ship arrives in Maputo with aid, boosts regional cooperation

As part of its ongoing overseas deployment to Africa, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship, Sachet, an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) made a port call in Maputo, Mozambique on Saturday.

time to read

1 min

October 12, 2025

The Statesman Kolkata

Shapoorji Pallonjibacks Tata Sons listing, pledges ‘constructive role’

Construction and engineering major Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry Group officially issued a statement on Saturday that it supports public listing of Tata Sons, which is the holding company of the Tata Group, saying that it would play a “constructive role”.

time to read

1 mins

October 12, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size