Germany is preparing for the second round of the electoral process to select the federal chancellor, scheduled for Tuesday, May 6
According to reports from German media and parliamentary sources, lawmakers will attempt to pass this important procedural step for the second time in two days, as the first attempt on May 6 ended in an unexpected outcome — despite having an overwhelming majority of votes, the candidate Friedrich Merz could not be elected. Just a few days ago, it seemed that the process of electing a new chancellor in the upper house of Parliament would be resolved quickly. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) assured that they had agreed to support Merz’s candidacy already in the first voting session. However, unexpectedly for many, on Tuesday the lower house — the Bundestag — failed to decide on a candidate and did not confirm Merz in the first attempt, which once seemed indisputable. According to parliamentary sources, the CDU/CSU is already beginning to prepare for a repeat rejection and plans to make a second attempt to elect Merz in the second round on Tuesday. This will require streamlining the procedure; however, this step needs the support of two-thirds of the deputies — meaning that votes from not only the coalition parties but also some opposition factions, including The Left and Alternative for Germany, are necessary for success. A notable aspect of the situation is that, based on previous agreements, at least 328 deputies from the CDU/CSU and SPD have agreed on a joint coalition and support for Merz’s candidacy, which must receive at least 316 votes for final approval. How successful the repeat attempt will be will become clear within the next few hours, as voting in the Bundestag is scheduled to continue at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. It is worth noting that an attempt to elect a chancellor on the second try is not unprecedented in the German parliament. This is already the third case in modern German history when the first round of voting ends without a result. Such a situation significantly complicates the process of forming a government, as the lack of a quick decision can prolong the crisis and increase political tensions within the country. If the first attempt to elect Merz as head of government fails, coalition agreements and political arrangements specify that the process should be completed by Friday, meaning by the end of the week. Based on this, tensions are rising among deputies and analysts regarding whether a compromise will be reached and a decision made in the shortest possible time. The outcome of this session will determine the stability of the government and the country’s political situation, which has remained quite unstable over the past months due to the tumult surrounding the formation of a new coalition. Parliamentary circles have also emphasized that the process will continue: if necessary, votes may be postponed or extended, but the main goal is to reach a decision as soon as possible. Currently, the issue of electing the chancellor remains unresolved — time is pressing, and politicians are determining their next steps. However, it appears that the first attempt was not the last, and the struggle for the position of head of the federal government will continue in the coming days.