Friedrich Merz succeeded in his bid to become the next German chancellor during a second vote in parliament, hours after he suffered a historic defeat in the first round.

German conservative leader Friedrich Merz failed to secure enough parliamentary votes to become chancellor in a major blow.

It took two votes in the Bundestag, but in the end — as expected — conservative Friedrich Merz was elected as Germany's chancellor. He takes over the helm at a very difficult moment for Germany and the European Union.