Matthias Diehling
Appearances
WSJ What’s News
Political Crisis in Germany as Merz Fails to Win First Vote as Chancellor
This is certainly a major surprise. It is the first time in the history of the Federal Republic that a nominated chancellor has not been elected on the first ballot in the Bundestag. It was widely unexpected. So Friedrich Merz was expected to be elected on this first vote as coalition or prospective coalition.
WSJ What’s News
Political Crisis in Germany as Merz Fails to Win First Vote as Chancellor
of CDU, CSU and SPD, actually a majority of 12 seats in the new parliament, which doesn't sound a lot, but actually is not even in the top five of narrowest majorities that we've seen in the past. So he certainly did not receive the full support of his prospective coalitions. And so him not being elected on the first ballot is a major surprise. It certainly weakens him as a candidate.
WSJ What’s News
Political Crisis in Germany as Merz Fails to Win First Vote as Chancellor
It is not possible to say who exactly was responsible for this because the vote is secret. But it is certainly not precedented in German history.
WSJ What’s News
Political Crisis in Germany as Merz Fails to Win First Vote as Chancellor
So the German Constitution outlines very clearly, has very clear rules for situations like those. According to Article 63, the Bundestag can now elect a candidate within 14 days. This candidate could be Mr. Merz, but also wouldn't need to be Mr. Merz. There could also be alternative candidates, although I hasten to say that I would expect him to seek election and a second round of voting.
WSJ What’s News
Political Crisis in Germany as Merz Fails to Win First Vote as Chancellor
But of course, the delay that follows from that, because the next round of voting could earliest take place tomorrow, of course, it was not expected, but also is quite significant given the challenges that both Germany, but also Europe more broadly face. Merz was expected to travel to France tomorrow. This is very unlikely, of course, to go ahead given the circumstances now.
WSJ What’s News
Political Crisis in Germany as Merz Fails to Win First Vote as Chancellor
And given the challenges that Europe faces, of course, a delay in electing a new stable German government It's certainly not great news.
WSJ What’s News
Political Crisis in Germany as Merz Fails to Win First Vote as Chancellor
Him not being elected on the first ballot is a major surprise. It certainly weakens him as a candidate. It is not possible to say who exactly was responsible for this because the vote is secret, but it is certainly unprecedented in German history.