Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has been sworn in as the Chancellor of Germany. Merz took the oath of office in the Bundestag on Tuesday afternoon. The wording of the oath is specified in the Basic Law and reads: “I swear that I will dedicate my strength to the welfare of the German people, increase its benefits, avert harm to it, uphold and defend the Basic Law and the laws of the Federation, perform my duties conscientiously and exercise justice towards everyone. So help me God.” Merz could have omitted the religious concluding formula, but he decided against it.
Prior to his swearing-in, the CDU leader was officially appointed by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who handed him the appointment certificate. After his swearing-in, Merz will return to Schloss Bellevue, where the members of the future federal government will also be appointed.
Merz was elected as the new Chancellor on Tuesday in the second round of voting. In the first round, he had failed. This represented a historical novelty: Never before had a designated Chancellor failed in the first round of voting in the Bundestag after successful coalition negotiations following a federal election.