Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Russian Ministry of Defense: 37 Ukrainian drones destroyed in 4 hours over regions of Russia and the Black Sea.
Sheikh Qassem: Our supporters make up more than half of Lebanon's population, and all of these people are united under the banner of protecting Lebanon, its Resistance, its people, and its integrity.
Sheikh Qassem: There will be no phased handing in of our arms. [The Israelis] must first enact the agreement before we start talking about a defensive strategy.
Sheikh Qassem: Be brave in the face of foreign pressures, and we will be by your side in this stance.
Sheikh Qassem: Stripping us of our arms is like stripping us of our very soul, and this will prompt us to show them our might.
Sheikh Qassem: We will not abandon our arms, for they gave us dignity; we will not abandon our arms, for they protect us against our enemy.
Sheikh Qassem: The US efforts we are seeing are aimed at sabotaging Lebanon and constitute a call for sedition.
Sheikh Qassem: If you truly want to establish sovereignty and work for Lebanon’s interests, then stop the aggression.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States, which is meddling in Lebanon, is not trustworthy but rather poses a danger to it.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States is preventing the weapons that protect the homeland.

Friedrich Merz confirmed as Germany's new chancellor after runoff vote

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 6 May 2025 19:54
3 Min Read

At 69, Merz brings decades of political and legal experience, having served in both the Bundestag and the European Parliament, and later building a career as a corporate lawyer.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    Leader of the Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz is congratulated by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz after being elected new chancellor at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Germany's conservative leader, Friedrich Merz, was officially appointed chancellor on Tuesday by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, following an unexpected twist in the Bundestag that required a second round of voting. Although Merz leads a coalition between his Christian Democratic Union (CDU)/Christian Social Union (CSU) alliance and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), together holding 328 seats, he failed to secure an absolute majority in the initial ballot, garnering only 310 votes, six short of the 316 needed.

This marked the first time since World War II that a chancellor candidate failed to win outright support in the first round, raising immediate concerns about internal rifts within the governing coalition. However, Merz prevailed in the second round with 325 votes, clearing the threshold and paving the way for his formal swearing-in at the presidential palace later that day.

At 69, Merz brings decades of political and legal experience, having served in both the Bundestag and the European Parliament, and later building a career as a corporate lawyer. From 2016 to 2020, he served as chairman of BlackRock Germany, the local branch of the world's largest asset management firm. His role during that period has remained controversial, particularly as BlackRock became entangled in the "cum-ex" tax fraud investigations involving illicit dividend trading schemes. Although Merz was not personally implicated, critics continue to raise concerns over potential conflicts of interest, especially given BlackRock's influence as a major shareholder in numerous German corporations.

Related News

Merz reluctantly defends partial weapons embargo to 'Israel'

Diplomatic efforts to solve Ukraine conflict are 'exhausted' says Merz

His appearances at BlackRock-sponsored events, including at the World Economic Forum in Davos, have further fueled public skepticism over the extent of corporate influence in his policy platform. Opponents warn that his background may shape a pro-corporate governance agenda, particularly in areas such as financial regulation and taxation.

Merz's policy priorities include boosting defense expenditures and launching a €1 trillion infrastructure investment initiative financed through borrowing. Yet despite securing parliamentary backing, he enters office in a highly fragmented political environment. Recent polling shows public approval for his leadership hovers at just 38%, reflecting a cautious electorate amid economic stagnation, rising inflation, and growing momentum from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

His first foreign trip as chancellor is expected to be to Paris, where he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron. The visit is seen as an effort to reaffirm the strength of the Franco-German partnership at the core of the European Union, an alliance that will be crucial as Merz faces a politically volatile term ahead.

Read more: Merz misses majority in initial German Parliament vote for Chancellor

  • German Chancellor
  • Friedrich Merz
  • Germany

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Almost instantly after the Helsinki Accords were signed, organisations sprouted to document purported violations, whose findings were fed to overseas embassies for international amplification. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

How ‘Human Rights’ became a Western weapon

  • Opinion
  • 23 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025
Launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen toward the occupied Palestinian territories. (YAF military media)

Yemeni Forces announce firing hypersonic missile at Al-Lydd Airport

  • Politics
  • 22 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS