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Germany, Merz rejected in the Bundestag: never happened in federal history

The leader of the Cdu does not obtain a majority to become chancellor: shooters in the coalition. Now an unprecedented constitutional phase opens

A resounding rejection hit CDU leader Friedrich Merz in the first round of the vote to become Germany’s chancellor. The Bundestag did not grant him an absolute majority, opening up a scenario never seen before in the history of the Federal Republic: a chancellor candidate impaled by frank shooters from his own coalition.

According to the German media, the outcome of the vote represents a serious embarrassment for Merz and a sign of deep instability in the centre-right coalition. The secret vote revealed internal divisions that could have lasting repercussions on the German political landscape.

The German Constitution, in Article 63, now points the way forward. After the first failure, the Bundestag has 14 days to elect a chancellor, with no limit on the number of votes. During this period, it remains necessary to obtain an absolute majority of the members of parliament in order to be appointed.

If this second step also fails, we enter the third phase provided for in the Basic Law: a new parliamentary election is held, and the candidate with the most votes can be appointed chancellor if he achieves an absolute majority. If he only obtains a relative majority, it is up to the Federal President to decide: either appoint him as Chancellor within seven days, or dissolve the Bundestag and call new elections.

The twist casts a shadow over the future of the CDU leadership and opens up an uncertain political scenario, with a possible return to the polls that could rewrite the balance in Germany.

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