Bundestag prepares to elect Merz as chancellor: Decisive date revealed
Photo: likely future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Getty Images)
Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), could be elected as Germany’s new chancellor on May 6. Bundestag President Julia Klöckner is preparing to convene parliament on that day to hold a vote for the head of government, n-tv.de reports.
According to the outlet, the Bundestag could elect Merz as chancellor two and a half months after the federal elections. However, a prerequisite for this is the approval of a coalition agreement between the CDU, the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).
The CSU’s executive committee has already endorsed the agreement. The CDU is expected to make its decision at a small party conference on April 28. SPD members will vote on the 144-page agreement from Tuesday, April 15, through April 29. To ratify the agreement, not only is a majority vote required, but also participation by at least 20% of party members in the fully digital vote.
At least 316 votes needed for election
According to Article 63 of the Basic Law, the Federal Chancellor is elected by the Bundestag without debate, following a nomination by the Federal President. A majority of Bundestag members, at least 316 votes, is required for the election.
If Merz is elected chancellor, his government will most likely take the oath of office in the Bundestag on the same day, May 6. After that, the federal government can begin its work, exactly six months after the previous ruling coalition collapsed on November 6, 2024.
Following his election, Merz will immediately head to Bellevue Palace for a meeting with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who will hand him the official certificate of appointment. He will then return to the Bundestag to take the oath as the new chancellor. For this, the original copy of the Basic Law, kept in a safe by the Bundestag’s director, will be retrieved, and the newly elected chancellor will solemnly read the oath aloud.
Formation of the ruling coalition
On April 7, the Christian Democratic and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) bloc and the Social Democrats (SPD) announced the signing of a coalition agreement.
According to the 144-page agreement, the parties agreed to establish an expert commission to modernize the debt brake, reduce taxes by 1% annually over five years starting in 2028, and abolish the possibility of acquiring German citizenship after just three years of residence.
The parties also agreed to introduce voluntary military service and cut budget spending, including discretionary funding for international organizations.
RBC-Ukraine has also reported on who will hold key positions in the new German government and what Ukraine can expect from Merz’s team.
