Friedrich Merz has officially become Germany's new Chancellor, taking office approximately ten weeks after the premature federal elections.

His appointment follows the collapse of the coalition government led by the Social Democratic Party (SPD) under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, which included the Greens and the Free Democratic Party (FDP).

Merz was elected in a tightly contested vote within the Bundestag, requiring two rounds of voting to secure the chancellorship.

In the first round, he fell short of a simple majority, obtaining only 321 votes out of the 328 required from coalition members, with at least 18 representatives from the ruling parties abstaining.

This unforeseen setback marked a particularly unstable beginning to his leadership.

In the subsequent round of voting, Merz achieved a narrow victory with a margin of just nine votes, receiving 328 votes in total to confirm his leadership.

Following his election, Merz took the oath of office, affirming his commitment to serve the German people and uphold the duties of his position with the phrase, "so wahr mir Gott helfe" (so help me God).

Despite the gravity of the moment, remnants of uncertainty linger regarding parliamentary support.

Only specific votes, such as personnel elections, are conducted anonymously, while votes on legislative issues are cast openly, establishing a framework where dissent within the coalition may be more apparent in future discussions.

The political landscape Merz now faces is complicated.

Domestically, there are high expectations for economic revitalization as Germany grapples with challenges such as inflation and sluggish growth.

Swift approval of a budget will be essential for addressing these issues.

Internationally, there is a pressing need for Germany, as Europe's largest economy, to regain a strong leadership position within the European Union, particularly in the context of evolving global geopolitical dynamics, including relations with the United States, the threats posed by Russia, and competition from China.

Merz’s political career has seen its share of ups and downs.

He experienced a setback after the ascent of Angela Merkel, leading to an early exit from politics due to limited career prospects.

However, his return to the forefront of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leadership after multiple attempts has led him to this pivotal role, marking a notable comeback in German politics.

Former Chancellor Scholz was one of the first to congratulate Merz following the election, underscoring the continuity of governance and the challenges that await.

The transfer of power proceeded smoothly, with Scholz emphasizing that challenges would persist in the chancellery, hinting at the demanding nature of the role.

In conjunction with Merz’s election, new ministers have been appointed and sworn in, signaling the formation of his cabinet as he embarks on his administration's priorities and responsibilities.