Friedrich Merz officially becomes Germany’s new Chancellor — the well-known politician took the oath, marking the beginning of his new chapter in leading the Federal Republic
The ceremony took place in the renowned Great Hall of Bellevue Palace — the official residence of the country's president, where he, signing as the new head of government, received a symbolic investiture into the role of Chancellor. The ceremony was conducted in a warm yet formal atmosphere. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, addressing Merz, jokingly remarked that he arrived "a little late," hinting that his nomination was only approved on the second attempt. This statement elicited a mild smile from those present and added a human touch to the ceremony. At the end, the president presented the new Chancellor with an official signed document, stating: "Mr. Chancellor, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, I appoint Mr. Friedrich Merz as Chancellor." In the near future, the same residence will host the ceremonial swearing-in of the members of Merz's new government. This will be an important step in forming a new administrative team, which will set the country's course for the coming years. A significant milestone was also the final approval of Merz’s appointment by the parliament. On May 6th, during the second vote in the Bundestag, 325 out of 328 deputies supported his candidacy — an unprecedented case in German political practice. The initial attempt at appointment failed due to a lack of the required number of votes — he missed by six. However, deputies, notably from the Christian Democratic Union and the Social Democratic Party, joined in support of Merz’s candidacy, reflecting the high level of attention to the formation of the new government. Overall, the parliament has 328 deputies from the two leading political forces — CDU and SPD — which secured the necessary support for Merz’s appointment as Chancellor. This marks an important step in the country’s political history and will be decisive for Germany's internal and external policies in the months ahead. Within the context of these events and the new administration, one cannot overlook the issue of relations between Germany and Ukraine — as the new government and its political course will significantly influence regional stability and support for Ukraine in countering external challenges. Details of this topic, considering the political priorities and future agenda of the new Chancellor, are expected to be actively discussed both within the country and abroad.