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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
World
RFI

Merz elected as German Chancellor after failing in first round

Friedrich Merz SPD
Designated German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (C) talks with delegates at the plenary hall as they arrive for the continuation of a session at the Bundestag (lower house of parliament), as MPs are to elect Germany's next Chancellor, in Berlin on May 6, 2025. AFP - RALF HIRSCHBERGER

The German parliament on Tuesday elected Friedrich Merz as Chancellor in a second round of voting. Merz failed in a first round of voting earlier in the day, triggering franctic hours of lobbying to gain support for a second vote that would back him.

The CDU politician received 325 yes votes in the second round of voting, nine more than he needed for election. 289 MPs voted against him. He needed a minimum of 316 votes in the 630 strong parliament.

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