In the second election, he succeeded and became the German chancellor, however, it is a fact, but everything is once the first time 🤔

Historic defeat: Merz blocked in bid to become German chancellor

⏺ CDU leader Friedrich Merz has fallen short in his first attempt to become chancellor, receiving just 310 of the 316 votes required in the Bundestag. His party had a formal coalition agreement with the SPD — yet 18 coalition MPs withheld their support.

⏺ This is the first time since 1949 that a chancellor candidate has failed in an initial vote, highlighting internal dissent and raising questions about the coalition’s durability.

⏺ Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz received a military farewell just hours before the vote. Now, Merz must decide whether to attempt a second vote or step aside. AfD leaders wasted no time labelling the vote “proof the coalition was rejected by voters.”