Berlin — Friedrich Merz was elected as Chancellor of Germany on Tuesday, succeeding Olaf Scholz after a notable parliamentary process.

The vote saw Merz receive 325 out of 630 votes in the Bundestag, with 289 voting against him, and one abstention.

Initially falling short of the required 316 votes in a first round, Merz made history as the first designated chancellor in the modern German republic to face a second round on the same day, where coalition parties secured sufficient support to alter parliamentary rules and conduct another vote.

Merz's leadership emerged from a coalition government comprising his own Christian Democrats (CDU), their Bavarian allies in the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democrats (SPD).

Following his election, Merz's new cabinet is anticipated to be sworn in, officially marking the transition from Scholz, who had recently performed a ceremonial curfew handover.

At 69, Merz becomes the oldest individual to assume the chancellorship since the post-war establishment of the office.

His election comes after a significant political comeback, having stepped away from politics in 2009 to pursue a career in the private sector.

His recent triumph follows previous unsuccessful bids for party leadership and comes on the heels of the CDU's poor performance in the 2021 general elections.

Germany currently faces a series of domestic challenges, with economic growth stagnating and the nation emerging from a recession.

An immediate priority for the new administration is addressing the state of the armed forces in light of evolving global security concerns.

The coalition has already initiated a reform of Germany's stringent debt regulations, aimed at enabling increased investment towards defense and infrastructure.

Concurrent with Merz’s ascendance, his newly appointed Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, announced plans to implement stricter border controls intended to deter irregular migration, including those seeking asylum.

Dobrindt emphasized the necessity of sending a ‘clear signal’ regarding Germany’s changing policy stance while assuring that vulnerable populations, such as children and pregnant women, would still be given safe passage.

The approach has drawn sharp criticism from officials in Poland and Austria, who argue that it conflicts with European Union asylum laws.

Poland's envoy to Berlin cautioned against interference with EU internal market operations, while Austria referenced legal judgments opposing informal returns.

Dobrindt defended the new measures as a means to revitalize the European asylum system and reduce internal border checks by transferring asylum responsibilities to the external borders of Europe.

As Merz embarks on his tenure, he has outlined intentions to enhance diplomatic relations with neighboring nations and assert Germany’s role on the European stage.

He is scheduled for his inaugural visit to France and then to Poland, with these trips now subject to confirmation following the recent political developments.