The conservative leader, weakened by an unprecedented first-round setback, won 325 votes in the dramatic second round.
The 69-year-old is currently at the helm of a vulnerable coalition between the conservative block and the Social Democrats (SPD) on the centre left. The coalition holds one of the slimmest parliamentary majority, with just 52% of seats since World War II.
The rare second vote (it was not presumed that the German Prime Minister was not voted by the committee after attacking the Union Agreement in the country’s postwar history) allowed four factions, including Green and Left, to allow four factions, including delays in standard procedures, and to allow Parliament to be recirculated several hours after the shocking obstacles.
Mertz’s ultimate success followed intense party pressure and an emergency closure meeting until the afternoon.
MNA