Friedrich Merz arrives as a humbled new German chancellor but that may not be the worst way to start | Jorg Lau

"The high drama during the elections signals a new fragmentation in the German party system, affecting governance under the new leader Friedrich Merz."

"Merz starts his term as a weakened leader, relying on support from Greens and far-left Die Linke, which he harshly criticized during his campaign."

"The conservative CDU/CSU had to collaborate with parties they deem 'loony left' to secure a second vote, illustrating unexpected shifts in political alliances."

"Despite his promises to return to conservative roots, Merz's coalition dynamics push him closer to the center, isolating him from the far-right AfD."

Germany's political landscape has shifted dramatically with the election of Friedrich Merz as chancellor, who faced unprecedented voting challenges. After failing to secure a majority in the initial round of Bundestag voting, a second round became necessary, requiring support from the Greens and far-left Die Linke, contrasting with Merz's prior campaign criticism of these parties. This indicates a fragmentation within the German party system, complicating governance for Merz and pushing him closer to the political center, heightening tensions with the far-right AfD, along with other coalition dynamics at play.

Read at www.theguardian.com