Merz failed to win a majority in the first round. He got only 310 votes though his coalition has 328 seats, with 316 needed. Presumably some disgruntled SPD MPs blocked him. Denials and finger-pointing are underway. A damaging moment for German democracy that just benefits the AfD. - ThreadSky

berlinbridge.bsky.social • 26 days ago

Merz failed to win a majority in the first round. He got only 310 votes though his coalition has 328 seats, with 316 needed.
Presumably some disgruntled SPD MPs blocked him. Denials and finger-pointing are underway. A damaging moment for German democracy that just benefits the AfD.

Comments

barbaraschnell.bsky.social•26 days ago

Then again, what if some far-right CDU/CSU MPs blocked him?

maxmorritz.bsky.social•26 days ago

Damaging? No. Damaging is an SPD, agreeing on refusing refugees to enter the country. Chapeau for those who refused to accomodate this rightwing gouvernment.

brixiensignaro.bsky.social•26 days ago

what will happen now?

jemhadar.bsky.social•26 days ago

They will vote again with the same majority (absolute majority) needed and if it fails again a third vote with a simple majority will be held.

jemhadar.bsky.social•26 days ago

drjstr.bsky.social•26 days ago

Actually they now have 14 days for as many ballots as they like to elect someone with an absolute majority. The candidate can be anyone–today it had to be the candidate proposed by the President. Failing that, a simple majority is sufficient, and even a relative one at the President's discretion.

bonusw.bsky.social•26 days ago

Presumably, some in his party are so keen on allying with the AfD instead of SPD that they rather sabotage his government before it even comes into power.

fellat.bsky.social•26 days ago

Agree

It looked to me too easy (after the election) for switching from sholzing to hard support.

axeln.bsky.social•26 days ago

I am betting on CSU power plays. This has Söder vibes.

rarieck.bsky.social•26 days ago

MAGA-Spahn & Linnemann.

burningthirdrome.bsky.social•26 days ago

Congratulations to Klingbeil and Merz. First, learn to treat your party members as such during coalition negotiations. Party members are not peasants.

utrian.bsky.social•26 days ago

Those who refused to vote for Merz are responsible for standstill that already locked Germany for 6 months now.

A disgrace for the nation, shameful towards the citizens and destabilizing to international politics.

aliceatlast.bsky.social•26 days ago

Frightening

herrcb.bsky.social•26 days ago

It was a secret vote. We dont know who voted against him.

pcast42.bsky.social•26 days ago

I'm inclined to expect the disgruntled, having expressed their disdain in 1st round, to hold the line on 2nd round.

I quite despise Merz (and a lot of rest of the Union), but I see neither an alternative nor time for childish political games.

desertfella.bsky.social•26 days ago

Sorry but how do you know that SPD MPs are to blame? The SPD got more ministries and influence on the coalition agreement than its abysmal election results would have warranted. Maybe CDU or CSU MPs didn’t like that abd would secretory prefer to work with the AfD