Merz' appointment ends six months of political deadlock in the country after the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government in November.

Conservative leader Friedrich Merz has been elected as Germany’s chancellor — hours after he failed to win the first round in parliament in a historic defeat. Mr Merz, 69, who succeeds Olaf Scholz, has vowed to prioritise European unity and the continent’s security as it grapples with the new Trump administration and Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Friedrich Merz has succeeded in his bid to become the next German chancellor during a second vote in parliament, hours after he suffered a historic defeat in the first round.