German lawmakers reject Friedrich Merz as chancellor in a stunning 1st round
Briefly

In a historic moment for German politics, conservative Friedrich Merz was defeated in the first round of parliamentary voting for chancellor, falling short by six votes. This setback occurred despite Merz's Christian Democrats recently winning the most votes in the federal election and reaching a coalition agreement with the Social Democratic Party. Merz must secure an absolute majority in a potential second vote, or face the possibility of parliament's dissolution or a new election. His leadership is under scrutiny as he aims to bolster Germany's economy and military amid current geopolitical challenges.
The first defeat of a chancellor candidate in Germany's history highlights the country's political uncertainties, with Friedrich Merz falling short of the required parliamentary votes.
Merz's failure to secure enough votes raises questions about his leadership and the coalition's stability, as the Bundestag prepares for a potentially contentious second voting session.
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