Friedrich Merz was sworn in as the Chancellor of Germany on May 6, 2025, marking a significant shift in German politics. The conservative leader's ascent to the chancellorship followed a snap election on February 23, 2025, where the CDU/CSU emerged victorious.
The inauguration saw Merz take the oath of office, committing himself to serve the German people. However, the path to chancellorship wasn't straightforward. In an unprecedented turn of events, Merz failed to secure the required majority in the first parliamentary ballot, receiving only 310 of the necessary 316 votes.
Despite the initial setback, Merz garnered 325 votes in the second ballot, securing his position as the 10th chancellor of Germany since the end of World War II. His leadership marks a new chapter, with a coalition formed between the CDU/CSU and the SPD.