In a historic and unprecedented turn of events, Germany’s main political parties have failed to elect a chancellor, marking a significant moment in the country’s post-war politics. A proposed coalition of liberal and conservative parties put forward Frederich Merz, the Christian Democratic candidate, who also had the backing of the liberal SPD. However, Merz fell short of the required absolute majority by six votes, garnering 310 votes out of the 316 needed.
This unexpected outcome has sent shockwaves through German politics, with the session being adjourned for consultations among various political groups to determine their next steps. According to German media, this is the first time a chancellor candidate has been thwarted in such a manner since the end of World War II. Merz’s proposed coalition, which comprises his CSU/CDU bloc and the German Social Democrats (SPD), holds a significant 328 seats in the Bundestag.
The failure to elect a chancellor has its roots in the collapse of Germany’s previous three-way ruling coalition led by the SPD last November, which was due to disagreements over spending. The new proposed coalition had pledged to continue key elements of former Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s agenda, including support for Ukraine and unlocking a constitutional debt brake in militarization. However, the road ahead is now uncertain, with the possibility of a second round of voting within two weeks. If Merz or another candidate falls short again, the procedure would move to a simple majority vote, after which the German president would be forced to appoint the winner as chancellor or dissolve the legislature.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the recent designation of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as “extremist” by the country’s domestic intelligence agency, the BfV. The right-wing, anti-migrant movement is currently polling on par with the Christian Democrats for voter preference in a potential federal election, and its leaders have claimed that the “extremist” label is politically motivated and aimed at undermining the party’s rising popularity. As Germany navigates this uncharted political terrain, the international community watches with keen interest, aware that the outcome will have significant implications for the country’s future and its role within the European Union.