BERLIN — Conservative leader Friedrich Merz did not receive enough parliamentary votes in a first round vote to be elected chancellor in a major shock on Tuesday.
“Member of Parliament Friedrich Merz did not achieve the required majority of at least 316 votes,” Bundestag President, Julia Klöckner, announced after the first ballot in the Bundestag in a highly unexpected turn of events.
Klöckner interrupted the Bundestag session. The parliamentary groups are now set to convene. The timing of the second vote is unclear.
