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

Friedrich Merz has secured a majority in the second round of voting at the German Bundestag, averting a constitutional crisis. Follow DW for more.

For the first time since the founding of the Federal Republic, two rounds of voting were necessary to elect a chancellor. After failing to secure an absolute majority in the first round on Tuesday, the president of the Christian Democratic Union was finally installed.