• Friedrich Merz elected as Germany's chancellor after a historic initial defeat in parliamentary voting.
• He won 325 votes in the second round after falling short with 310 votes in the first round.
• The initial setback is unprecedented in German political history, raising concerns about coalition unity.

Friedrich Merz was elected chancellor of Germany in a second round of parliamentary voting on May 6, 2025, following a stunning setback in the first round where he garnered only 310 of the 630 votes needed for an absolute majority. This failure marks the first time in modern German history that a chancellor candidate was unable to secure the required votes in the initial round, raising questions about the stability and unity of his coalition government with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) which collectively controls 328 seats in the Bundestag, according to Reuters, Los Angeles Times, and India Times.

Despite the initial embarrassment, Merz rebounded quickly in the second vote, receiving 325 votes, nine over the minimum needed for a majority. This swift recovery comes at a time when Merz faces numerous challenges, including reviving Germany’s economy amidst a looming trade war stirred by U.S. tariffs and the complications arising from ongoing geopolitical tensions, according to The New York Times, Channel News Asia, and Dawn.

Merz's coalition agreement outlines ambitious plans for economic recovery, including reductions in corporate taxes and increased military spending in support of Ukraine. However, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), having gained significant traction in recent polls, is positioned as a formidable opposition, taking advantage of Merz's rocky start and discontent within his coalition, according to BBC, The Jakarta Post, and TRT Global.

In his first remarks after being elected, Merz emphasized the need for unity within the coalition and expressed his commitment to achieving effective governance despite the challenges ahead. Observers warn that this beginning may complicate his efforts to project strong leadership in Europe and address domestic issues, especially with the far-right opposition capitalizing on his initial failure, as noted by Channel News Asia and HuffPost.