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默茨接棒能否重振德国经济
Bei Jing Shang Bao·2025-05-07 15:41

Core Points - Friedrich Merz has been elected as the new Chancellor of Germany after a rare two rounds of voting, seen as a key figure to revitalize the German economy amid challenges such as economic stagnation, high energy prices, and a declining manufacturing sector [1][5][10] Political Landscape - Merz, born in 1955, has a background in law and has held various political positions, including Member of the European Parliament and Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group [5] - The recent federal elections saw the CDU/CSU party receiving 28.6% of the votes, making it the largest party in the Bundestag, with Merz as the conservative candidate for Chancellor [5][6] - The coalition government formed between the CDU/CSU and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) faced challenges in negotiations over immigration, taxation, and pension policies, with the far-right Alternative for Germany party excluded from the talks [5][6][7] Election Process - Merz required at least 316 votes to be elected Chancellor; however, he initially received only 310 votes in the first round, indicating dissent within the coalition [6][9] - The second round of voting resulted in Merz securing 325 votes, leading to his election as Chancellor [6][9] Economic Focus - The new government is expected to prioritize economic revitalization, with the CDU/CSU advocating for a free-market approach, including tax cuts to stimulate growth [7][8] - The coalition's differing views on economic policy, particularly between the CDU/CSU and SPD, pose challenges for governance [7][9] Immigration Policy - The new government plans to implement strict immigration policies, including a two-year suspension of family reunification for immigrants and halting federal-level refugee reception programs [10] - Rising anti-immigrant sentiment in Germany, exacerbated by economic downturns and security concerns, has influenced these policy changes [10] International Relations - Analysts express cautious optimism regarding Merz's approach to China, emphasizing the need for Germany to balance economic ties while reducing dependency on the U.S. amid rising tariffs [8][9] - The political shift in Germany is seen as significant, with implications for the country's role in Europe and its economic strategies [8][9]