Bundestag confirmed Friedrich Merz as Germany's new chancellor in a successful second vote after he unexpectedly lost an initial round earlier on Tuesday. Merz won 325 votes in favour — higher than the 316 required.

Friedrich Merz has secured a majority in the second round of voting at the German Bundestag, averting a constitutional crisis. Follow DW for more. Conservative leader Friedrich Merz has been elected as new chancellor in the second round of voting in the Bundestag,

Germany’s Friedrich Merz has formally become chancellor at the second attempt, hours after an unprecedented defeat signaled deep discontent within his coalition.