Friedrich Merz has officially been elected as Germany’s new Chancellor, securing the necessary majority in a second round of voting after falling short earlier in the day.
After his confirmation in the Bundestag, Merz shook hands with his predecessor Olaf Scholz, received congratulations from fellow MPs, and then departed to meet President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace. The drive, although just 5–10 minutes, took place during Berlin’s peak traffic.
According to Die Welt, Merz’s post-election agenda was tightly scheduled:
- Within 30 minutes: Meeting with President Steinmeier to receive the official decree of appointment as Chancellor.
- Within 1.5 hours: Return to the Bundestag to take the oath of office (unclear whether Merz will include the phrase “so help me God,” as Scholz chose to omit it).
- Within 2.5 hours: Return to Bellevue Palace, this time with the entire new cabinet.
- Within 3.5 hours: Final return to parliament for the collective swearing-in of ministers.
Later in the day, Merz will officially take over the Chancellor’s Office from Scholz in a formal handover ceremony at the Bundeskanzleramt.
Looking ahead, Merz’s first international trip may take place as early as tomorrow, with potential visits to Paris and Warsaw, although no official confirmation has been issued yet.
In today’s decisive vote, Merz received 325 votes—surpassing the 316 required to secure the chancellorship. In the first round held earlier, he fell short by only six votes.
