In historic first, Friedrich Merz fails to become Germany’s chancellor in opening vote

In a historic first, conservative leader Friedrich Merz ’s bid to become Germany’s 10th chancellor since World War II failed in the first round of voting in parliament on Tuesday by six votes, a stunning defeat as he had been widely expected to win smoothly.

A candidate for chancellor has never failed to win on the first ballot since the end of the war. Merz needed a majority of 316 out of 630 votes in a secret ballot. He only received 310 votes – well short of the 328 seats held by his coalition.

The parties were to regroup to discuss the next step but it was not immediately clear how long the process could take.

The lower house of parliament – called the Bundestag – has 14 days to elect a candidate with an absolute majority. Merz can run again, but other lawmakers can also throw their hat in the ring. There was no limit to the number of votes that can be held within the two-week period.

If Merz or any other candidate fails to get that majority during the period of 14 days, the constitution allows for the president to appoint the candidate who wins the most votes as chancellor, or to dissolve the Bundestag and hold a new national election.