Bundestag elects Merz as German chancellor in 2nd vote

Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz on his election. 

Speaking on Wednesday, Xi said China was ready to deepen cooperation and open a "new chapter" in the strategic partnership between the two countries.

China was prepared to work with Germany to guide China-EU cooperation "in the right direction," Xi said, according to state news agency Xinhua. 

China is Germany's second biggest trading partner.

Friedrich Merz urged the United States to "stay out of" Germany's politics after criticism from senior members of President Donald Trump's administration regarding Berlin's classification of the AfD as a "confirmed right-wing extremist" party.

Merz was speaking to German broadcaster ZDF after he was elected chancellor.

He said he plans to speak on the phone to Trump on Thursday.

After witnessing outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz hand over power to Friedrich Merz, DW's Berlin Bureau Chief Rosalia Romaniec said the two men showed "how exemplary things can go in German politics."

Despite their history of disagreement, the two leaders "treated each other with respect and appreciation" in a "very relieving moment on this difficult day."

Commenting on Merz's initial failure to secure votes, Romaniec said there is now hope that "he and his closest coalition partners have learned from that."

"Perhaps they will deal with power with a little more humility and fewer tough announcements," she said.

"Now, it's time to look ahead again. Tomorrow, Merz will embark on his first trips abroad, to Paris and Warsaw. He wants to strengthen this Paris-Berlin-Warsaw axis, the so-called 'Weimar Triangle,' and thus bring new momentum to Europe. After all, there is no shortage of common challenges. In the end, as chancellor, he will be judged much more by those than by his dramatic first day."

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Israel was "a cause of great concern" for the new government in Berlin.

"Humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip must be ensured," Merz said, speaking to Germany's public broadcaster ARD.

The new chancellor also said the Israeli government must fulfill its obligations under international law and humanitarian law. 

While reaffirming that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas militants Merz noted that this right comes with responsibilities.

"Israel must also remain a country that lives up to its humanitarian obligations, even where — especially where this terrible war is now raging in the Gaza Strip — where this confrontation with the Hamas terrorists is necessarily taking place," he said.

Merz said his new foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, would travel to Israel this weekend.

The Bundestag has wrapped up its business after an unprecedented day in German politics.

Julia Klöckner, the president of the German parliament, read out the names of Friedrich Merz's new cabinet as a last order of business.

While lawmakers can head home, Merz and his Cabinet are due to meet again at 10 p.m. tonight.

Earlier Merz told the Associated Press news agency his government must show that it can get illegal migration under control, and it must show that there is leadership again in Europe, especially in light of the threat from the east."

The chancellor's website in German and English now shows Merz as the head of the German government, including Merz's CV and information on the cabinet.

Merz has inherited the official "Bundeskanzler" accounts, including on Instagram, as well as on X. 

The bio on Merz's X account, @_FriedrichMerz, states he is the "Bundeskanzler der Bundesrepublik Deutschland", the Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.

TikTok seems to be one of the places where the transition of power was not yet reflected.

Leaders from various parts of the the world congratulated Merz on becoming the new German chancellor.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on social media he was looking forward to "working together to further cement the India-Germany Strategic Partnership."

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali expressed confidence that the two countries' "strengthened partnership will serve as a solid foundation for advancing the global good."

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also congratulated Merz, saying his leadership will be "crucial as we work to ensure that we are ready & able to deter & defend — to keep our people safe."

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's new Cabinet has also officially been appointed by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The country's 17 ministers were set to meet late on Tuesday night for the first Cabinet meeting. 

Here is a reminder of some of those that will serve:

Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD)

Social Democratic Party (SPD)

Succeeds Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) and Jörg Kukies (SPD) and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (of the Greens)

Background: Former leader of the SPD's youth wing.

Former roles: Served as constituency assistant to former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (though he later repudiated the former chancellor's pro-Moscow stance), served as SPD general secretary, then as party chairman (since 2017)

Notable stances: He once opposed scrapping some unemployment benefits, but later dropped this stance. He is also in favor of strengthening Germany's military.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul 

Christian Democratic Union (CDU)

Succeeds Annalena Baerbock (of the Greens)

Former roles: German Bundestag member since 2009, deputy leader of the conservative CDU/CSU faction in parliament, responsible for foreign and defense issues

Notable stances: Widely seen as loyal to Merz and among his staunchest supporters. Jana Puglierin of the European Council on Foreign Relations expects Wadephul will steer critical relationships with the US, China and Russia.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius

SPD

Stays on in his role as defense minister

Background: Pistorius is the only member of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz's cabinet to take part in the new government as one of Germany's more popular politicians. 

Former roles: Interior minister in Lower Saxony (until 2023)

Notable stances: Pistorius has said Germany should be ready to face a war by 2029 due to increasing threats from Russi. He was nominated to become the SPD candidate for chancellor following the collapse of Scholz' coalition government last year, but he withdrew from the race when Scholz signaled he would run again.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt

Christian Social Union (CSU)

Succeeds Nancy Faeser (of the SPD)

Former roles: Transport minister under former Chancellor Angela Merkel (from 2013 until 2017), Bundestag member since 2002

Notable stances: Outspoken supporter of curbing illegal migration, with a plan to tighten border control within the first week in office.

Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig

SPD

Succeeds Volker Wissing (independent, previously with business-friendly FDP)

Background: Former judge and public prosecutor

Former roles: Education minister in her home state of Rhineland-Palatinate, junior minister in the federal justice ministry

Notable stances: Hubig has often spoken about the need to increase efforts to combat antisemitism in Germany. She takes up the post amid growing calls for a ban on the far-right AfD party.

Economy Minister Katherina Reiche

CDU

Succeeds Robert Habeck (of the Greens)

Former roles: CEO of regional energy infrastructure firm Westenergie, former Bundestag member (from 1998 to 2015)

Notable stances: Reiche faces criticism over her former role as CEO of an energy infrastructure firm, with some saying her government post could pose a conflict of interest. 

Friedrich Merz regained his footing in a decisive second parliamentary vote today, winning 325 votes to become Germany’s new chancellor. After a shocking early setback, the result marks a rocky start to the conservative leader’s four-year term.

Friedrich Merz has taken the oath of office in the German parliament.

"I swear that I will dedicate my efforts to the well-being of the German people, promote their welfare, protect them from harm, uphold and defend the Basic Law and the laws of the Federation, perform my duties conscientiously and do justice to all."

Merz, who is Catholic, ended the oath with "So help me God" — an optional phrase in the oath taken by new German chancellors, not used by Merz's predecessor Olaf Scholz.

After Friedrich Merz managed to secure a parlimentary majority for his new government, DW's Berlin Bureau Chief Rosalia Romaniec warns that the new chancellor is still weakened by the failed vote earlier today.

"Friedrich Merz begins his chancellorship with a wake-up call. After an unexpected defeat in the first voting round, he would do well to reflect on why. The same applies to his coalition partner and future Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil (SPD). Both now need to work even harder to win over support from within their own camps on difficult issues — that’s the prevailing assessment heard today in the Bundestag.

It's hardly the ideal start for the new government in what many consider difficult times. The coalition has laid out an ambitious plan and is under pressure both domestically and internationally.

Friedrich Merz knows he must deliver quickly. And he will be aware that he is starting in a weakened position. That makes the first days and weeks all the more important after this bumpy start. But if more stumbles occur, the hope for a (finally) stable German government would take a serious hit. That would not be good for Germany or for Europe, because this time, a great deal is at stake."

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed hope that the Franco-German ties would be strengthened under Merz.

Macron and former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz did not have the best diplomatic track record and their governments disagreed on several important issues.

However, in a message posted on social media, Macron stressed that collaboration between Paris and Berlin was crucial for all Europeans.

"It's up to us to speed up our European agenda of sovereignty, security, and competitiveness," Macron wrote.

Merz is scheduled to meet with Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Wednesday.

Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz will next be sworn in before the Bundestag.

Then, Merz will take his new Cabinet to the residence of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to receive their official certificates of appointment. The German president has limited powers in day-to-day politics, but plays an essential role in the official process of ushering in a new government.

The ministers will then travel back to the Bundestag to be sworn in.

The practical handover of power from outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz to his successor is scheduled later at the chancellery.

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was one of the first leaders to congratulate Friedrich Merz on becoming Germany's new chancellor.

He expressed hope that Germany, under Merz's leadership, would "grow even stronger and that we'll see more German leadership in European and transatlantic affairs."

"This is especially important with the future of Europe at stake — and it will depend on our unity," Zelenskyy wrote in an online post.

Merz has regularly voiced his support for Ukraine in its battle against the ongoing Russian invasion.

The new German leader has also stated he was open to delivering German Taurus missiles to Ukraine, provided the move was done in coordination with European partners. These missiles would allow Ukraine to hit targets deep inside Russian territory.

At his official residence, Berlin's Bellevue Palace, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has officially appointed conservative leader Friedrich Merz as the successor to left-leaning Olaf Scholz.

"Mr. Chancellor, slightly late, but all the more heartfelt, congratulations on your election and, from me, I wish you every success in everything that lies ahead," Steinmeier told Merz after he was elected in a second round of voting in the Bundestag.