Merz defeat ‘an obstacle not a catastrophe’

Germany’s conservative leader has suddenly fallen without a majority in a parliament’s vote to become a chancellor.

Friedrich Merz needed 316 votes in the Bundestag with 630 seats, but only provided 310, in a significant blow to the Christian leader Democrat, two and a half after winning the German federal elections.

His coalition with the leftist center has enough seats in parliament, but it seems that 18 MPs expected to support him opposed.

Reacting to the vote, Bundestag member Johann Wadephul, who has decided to become the country’s new foreign minister, said he was expecting to hold another vote and that Merz would still become a chancellor.