Friedrich Mertz’s election to Chancellor, after the failed first round of voting, highlighted the deep cracks and fragile cohesion of the new CDU/CSU – SPD government coalition, raising concerns about Germany’s political stability in a critical juncture.

Mertz secured 325 votes in the second round, just nine above the required 316 threshold. During the first round of voting, 18 “guerrillas” from the new coalition of the Christian Democrats with the Social Democrats chose to deprive the majority of the leader.

If Friedrich Mertz failed to be elected in the second round, Europe’s strongest economy would sink into political turmoil, triggering an open succession or even early elections, in which the anti-immigrant and pro-Russian AFD party was expected to be a great deal.

However, Mertz’s four -year term of service demonstrates possible cracks within the government’s coalition, while he is called upon to manage a heavy challenging portfolio, internal and international, unprecedented by Germany’s reunion.

Despite his party’s victory in the February elections, Friedrich Mertz faces a significant deficit of popularity in German voters, who seem to be disturbed by his often abrupt style and unstable temperament.

A poll conducted last week on behalf of the Public Broadcasting ZDF broadcasting that only 38% of respondents supported the Chancellor by Mertz, while 56% responded that they were the wrong person for the post. Mertz is particularly unpopular to Social Democrats voters, with 62% rejecting him, which was a warning of Tuesday’s first disastrous vote.

Friedrich Mertz pushed parliament to vote for a package of measures to tighten immigration policy, knowing that the only way to approve was to support the far -right Alternative for Germany (AfD). This move has violated a timeless taboo in German political life.

Although this tactic seemed to reinforce Merz and the Christian Democrats among voters who were disadvantaged with immigration, he eventually returned boomerang. First, he failed to pass the most important proposal of the package, as members of his party itself reacted and voted against.

Secondly, he gave “political weapons” to the left -wing party Die Linke, which took advantage of social discontent and recorded unexpectedly high rates in the February elections. The reinforcement of the Left weakened the center -left parties Merz needed to form a government. Thus, he came to Tuesday’s critical vote by a marginal majority and when he lost 18 votes from the interior of his coalition, he was not elected in the first round.

Mertz’s attitude towards the demonstrations that followed the controversial vote on immigration may also cost him. Faced with charges of cooperation with the far -right, he and his executives have asked a question to Parliament on the tax exemption status of progressive organizations involved in the protests.

This action enraged progressive circles between them and the Social Democrats, who, however, chose to support the government coalition. But they saw Mertz’s attitude as a clear attempt to intimidate those who question him.

Tuesday’s vote was secret, so it remains unknown how many Social Democrats voted against Mertz and why.

Can Mertz restore the power of Germany?

According to Friedrich Mertz, the first 100 days of his rule will be completely different from any previous period. As he said, Germany will be “launched” by presenting his cabinet in this context.

The Minister of Finance, Katerina Reiche, a former chief executive in the energy sector, is not even a member of parliament, but seems to know how to get results. Foreign Minister Johann Vandeful has adopted a steady attitude in favor of Ukraine and seems to enjoy international acceptance. In addition, the Ministry of Defense remains in the hands of Boris Pistorius, who, during the hectic term of the outgoing Chancellor Allf Saltz, was one of the few who realized the need for a credible military force in Germany.

Interestingly, the entire worldview of Mertz, and his rhetoric for voters, changed drastically in the middle of his election campaign, as Politico notes. While at first focusing on austerity, he now appears to be determined to lead Germany out of the crisis through state spending. And while initially giving the impression that he may imitate some Trump’s policies, presenting the image of the conservative “man of markets”, now appears a proponent of liberal democracy against authoritarianism.

This spectacular shift is due to the infamous speech of US Vice President Jay Di Vance to the Munich Security Conference in which Europe realized that the United States is no longer necessarily a partner, but perhaps a potential opponent.

The crucial question is how the new government will use the budgetary “gift” it has in its hands, an extra budget of 500 billion euros, with the aim of modernizing the country’s worn infrastructure and boosting military spending, which should be repaid at some point.

These additional funds will probably allow Germany to exit the recession. However, although some automakers in the country may quickly remodel their factories to produce military equipment – which is absolutely necessary – as a whole, Germany is still difficult to adopt digital technology. A new ministry has been set up for the sole purpose of digital transition, however, whether it will be able to break up the established bureaucratic practices will be the ultimate test of credibility.

Although pessimism and self-evaluation are almost national characteristics in Germany, Mertz seems determined to prove to his compatriots that they are wrong.