As “Bild” found out, this possibility was discussed among members of the highest management bodies of the CDU, which forms the ruling coalition with the SPD. According to the newspaper, the discussions so far have not concerned specific plans, but rather considerations whether such a scenario is realistic. All discussion participants should be aware of the enormous political risk, including the failure of the new chancellor. Stern magazine was the first to report on these speculations.
Theoretically, the process is easy to implement. — The Bundestag can elect a new chancellor at any time by a majority vote, explains Prof. Josef Franz Lindner from the University of Augsburg.
The possibility of a constructive vote of no confidence is provided for in Article 67(1). 1 of the German constitution. If the chancellor were to resign, a new candidate would only need to be nominated by the president and elected by the Bundestag.
Who could replace Merz? Social Democrats would have to support this plan
The favorite to replace Friedrich Merz is the Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wust, who has been ruling Germany's most populous state since 2021 and ranks third in the politicians' popularity poll.
The problem is the state parliament elections in spring 2027, which means that Wust would have to go to Berlin shortly before or after the elections. It is unclear how public opinion would react to such a political maneuver.
According to information obtained by “Bild”, frustration in the SPD is so great that even high-ranking members of the party are currently considering such a scenario. From a political point of view, for Merz to be replaced, one thing is necessary: the Social Democrats would have to support the new CDU candidate, elect him as chancellor and continue the coalition.
