Merz defeat ‘an obstacle not a catastrophe’

Summary

Friedrich Merz, Germany’s conservative leader, fell short of a parliamentary majority in his bid to become chancellor, securing only 310 votes in the 630-seat Bundestag, while 316 were needed. This setback came two and a half months after the federal elections, with 18 expected supporters dissenting from his coalition with the centre-left. Despite the defeat, Bundestag member Johann Wadephul, anticipated to be the new foreign minister, expressed confidence that another vote would occur and that Merz would ultimately be elected chancellor.

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