The leader of Germany's Christian Democrat-Social Democratic coalition, Friedrich Merz, suffered a shock defeat Tuesday in his bid to become chancellor after failing to secure a majority in a vote in the Bundestag.

Conservative leader Friedrich Merz has been elected as new chancellor in the second round of voting in the Bundestag, the lower house of the German parliament. Merz's failure to win enough support earlier today was the first time in Germany's postwar history that a candidate missed a majority in the first round of voting.

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