Friedrich Merz has been elected as Germany’s chancellor following a second round of parliamentary voting, where he secured 325 votes after a surprising defeat in the first round. Merz’s coalition, which includes the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU), needed a partner to form a majority government after topping national elections with 28.5 percent. The newly formed alliance with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) aims to boost economic growth and support Ukraine amidst various domestic challenges, including the rise of the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD).
