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
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted

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

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

Scholz's SPD demands apology from FDP over coalition collapse

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

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

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