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Merz Elected as Germany's Chancellor After Initial Shock Defeat

The Straits Times

|

May 07, 2025

Conservative leader vows to revive ailing economy, strengthen Berlin's role in Europe

Merz Elected as Germany's Chancellor After Initial Shock Defeat

BERLIN - Germany's conservative leader Friedrich Merz on May 6 won a nail-biter second vote in Parliament to become chancellor after he lost the first round in a stunning early setback.

Mr. Merz, 69, scored an absolute majority of 325 against 289 in the secret vote in the Lower House of Parliament.

He takes over at the helm of a coalition between his CDU/CSU alliance and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) of outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is expected to appoint him as post-war Germany's 10th chancellor on May 7, along with his Cabinet, before Mr. Merz visits Paris and then Warsaw the same day.

His victory caps a long ambition to lead Europe's biggest economy, which was first foiled decades ago by party rival Angela Merkel who went on to serve as chancellor for 16 years.

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