Friedrich Merz becomes Germany's new chancellor

Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union in Germany, has been elected chancellor and assumed office following a second round of voting in the Bundestag. Having failed to secure sufficient support in the first round, Merz obtained the necessary votes in the second round to be appointed to the chancellorship.

This development marks the first time since World War II that a chancellor has failed to receive sufficient support from parliament in the first round. Following the early general elections held on February 23, a government formation agreement was reached between the Christian Union (CDU/CSU) parties and the Social Democratic Party (SPD). These parties hold a total of 628 seats in parliament.