Germany's new Chancellor is elected today

From Bundestag to the Bellevue presidential residence and then from Bellevue to Bundestag: these are the stations in the selection of German Chancellor today and the start of the new government cabinet after the oath.

If everything goes according to plan, six months of political deadlock in Germany today, DW reports Periscope.

Just half a year after the collapse of the coalition between Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals (the coalition known as traffic lights) would start working today the fifth coalition of the conservative Union and the Social Democrats, (the red one).

If the head of the CDU Friedrich Merz today gets the necessary number of votes in Bundestag will be acted like this:

At 09 o'clock the Bundestag meets for the Chancellor's election, opening the session is by his president, Julia Klöckner, and there are no speeches.

Friedrich Merz needs the approval of most Bundestag members, 316 votes. In Bundestag there are 328 deputies from the CDU/ CSU and SPD. Despite the number difference is not large, the first round election is considered pretty sure.

Then the elected Chancellor (10:30) receives the appointment by President Steinmeier.

Merz returns later to Bundestag, where he will have to take the oath at 12: 00 p.m.

The oath contains this statement: “I swear that I will devote my strength to the well-being of the German people, increase its benefits, avoid damage, respect and defend the Constitutional Law and the laws of the Federation, fulfill my duties and act fairly towards all. With God's help.” The reference to God can be removed, as did Olaf Scholz in 2021.

Later, ministers are appointed. Merz returns to the Bellevue Palace at Steinmeier this time with his cabinet. The ministers will now receive their certificates of appointment from the Federal President. Steinmeier gives a short speech, likely mentioning the new government's prior duties and expectations towards it.

At 13:30 then back to Bundestag: The formation of the new federal government becomes known, and the ministers take the oath.

At 3: 00 p.m., Chancellor Scholz officially hands over the office to his successor, Merz. Ministers do the duty in the afternoon.

Early Visits

If developments move as planned Wednesday, the first full day as the new Chancellor, Merz will first visit France and then Poland. His foreign minister, Johann Wadefhul, is supposed to accompany him. On Friday, Merz plans to travel to Brussels to meet with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leenen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. /DW/