I think also that it would rather be harmful than useful to my house to take upon myself so heavy a burthen as the German crown." This time the German was plain enough and produced its effect.

Maximilian was too able a statesman and too conscientious a friend to wish to exchange his own proud position as chief of the League, acknowledged head of the great Catholic party, for the slippery, comfortless, and unmeaning throne of the Holy Empire, which he considered Ferdinand's right.
The chiefs of the anti-Austrian party, especially the Prince of Anhalt and the Margrave of Anspach, in unison with the Heidelberg cabinet, were forced to look for another candidate.

Accordingly the Margrave and the Elector-Palatine solemnly agreed that it was indispensable to choose an emperor who should not be of the House of Austria nor a slave of Spain.
It was, to be sure, not possible to think of a Protestant prince.

Bavaria would not oppose Austria, would also allow too much influence to the Jesuits.

So there remained no one but the Duke of Savoy.