Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's conservative party, failed to gain enough support today (May 6) in the first vote in the Bundestag and was not elected as the next Federal Chancellor.
This result came as an unexpected setback for the new coalition formed by his Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union and the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
The Bundestag now has 14 days to elect Merz or any other Chancellor candidate with a simple majority.
Will Merz be elected? Or will he be forced to step down?
Comment: The German political landscape experienced a dramatic turn today (May 6). Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative party, faced setbacks in his bid for the Chancellorship, failing to secure enough votes in the first vote of the Bundestag. This result left both the entire German political arena and the international community watching closely.
Originally, the new coalition led by Merz and his Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) was seen by outsiders as the雏形of the new government, with Merz's appointment as Chancellor seeming almost inevitable. However, reality dealt this political combination a heavy blow. There may not have been unanimous agreement among members of the two parties on specific policies and power distribution. For example, there have always been differing views between the two parties on issues such as immigration policy and the focus of economic development.
According to the rules of the Bundestag, the next 14 days are a critical "redemption period" for Merz. During this time, if he wants to successfully ascend to the position of Chancellor, he needs to unite various forces and re-attract sufficient support from members to secure a simple majority again. Of course, other political figures may also take advantage of this opportunity to rise up and become candidates for Chancellor, disrupting the existing political situation.
Merz has relatively distinct political positions. On the economy, he advocates reducing corporate income tax from 15% to 12%, simplifying the tax system, and promoting enterprise innovation and digital transformation; in foreign and security policies, he holds a pro-American stance, emphasizing the transatlantic alliance, supporting increased defense spending and aid to Ukraine; in energy and climate policies, he opposes radical emission reduction targets and supports extending the use of coal and nuclear power. These propositions have attracted support from some voters and political forces while provoking opposition from others. For instance, his support for increasing defense spending and aid to Ukraine may upset some citizens and members of parliament who worry about being drawn into conflicts and hope to maintain a peaceful and stable development environment; his opposition to radical emission reduction targets may draw criticism from environmental organizations and groups concerned about climate change, making it difficult for him to gain support when seeking backing.
There will be various conditions proposed during subsequent negotiations and games. If Merz still fails to gain majority support in subsequent elections, not only will his personal political career suffer severe damage, but the political alliance he belongs to will also face difficulties, which may even lead to the failure of forming a new government, causing a period of instability and uncertainty in German politics.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1831361269756936/
Disclaimer: This article solely represents the author's own views.