German conservative leader elected chancellor after historic first-round loss

Friedrich Merz was elected chancellor of Germany after facing a historic loss in the Bundestag. In the second round, 325 lawmakers voted for Merz, bringing him past the 316-vote threshold. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has already demanded that Merz step down and call for new elections following his loss in the first round.

Merz’s initial loss marked a historic moment, as it was the first of its kind in post-war Germany.