21 h. ago Friedrich Merz WINS second vote to become German chancellor hours after suffering humiliating defeat that sparked calls for his resignation

Germany had been thrown into political chaos earlier today as Merz's bid to become the country's 10th chancellor shockingly failed in the first round of voting in parliament by just six votes this morning.

Politics

22 h. ago German parliament elects Merz as chancellor in second round of voting

New leader secures 325 votes after humiliating loss in first round inflicted by 18 unnamed coalition rebelsEurope live – latest updatesThe German parliament has formally elected Friedrich Merz as the country’s 10th chancellor since the second world war, after a humiliating loss in the first round of voting that raised troubling doubts about the stability of the next coalition government.Merz secured 325 votes in the second round, just above the necessary 316. Earlier in the day 18 unnamed rebels from the newly formed alliance between his conservatives and the Social Democrats had voted to deprive him of the required majority in the secret ballot. Continue reading...

Politics

22 h. ago Friedrich Merz wins second vote to become Germany’s chancellor

Previous defeat had marked a first in country’s postwar history

Politics

25 h. ago Friedrich Merz suffers shock defeat in German parliament vote to be named chancellor — by six votes

Mr Merz needed a majority of 316 out of 630 votes in a secret ballot – but received only 310 votes

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27 h. ago Friedrich Merz loses parliament vote to be named next German chancellor — by six votes

Mr Merz needed a majority of 316 out of 630 votes in a secret ballot. He only received 310 votes, forcing the coalition of parties to reconvene to discuss the next step

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8 d. ago Friedrich Merz's party approves German coalition agreement, bringing him closer to the chancellery

German election winner Friedrich Merz’s party has approved an agreement to form a coalition government with a center-left rival

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